please
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for please, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make someone happy or satisfied.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use please
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French plaisir/plaire, from Latin placere ("to please, to seem good"). It displaced the older Old English word līcian, which survives today as "like."
Full origin of please →Frequently asked questions
What does “please” mean?
The word “please” means to make someone happy or satisfied. In plain terms, either the verb meaning to make someone happy, or the everyday word we add to requests to be polite.
How do you pronounce “please”?
“Please” is pronounced pleez (/pliz/ in IPA).
How do you use “please” in a sentence?
Here is “please” used in a sentence: “It's hard to please everyone at once.”
What part of speech is “please”?
Depending on how it is used, “please” can be a verb, an adverb and an intj.
Where does the word “please” come from?
The word “please” comes from Latin. From Old French plaisir/plaire, from Latin placere ("to please, to seem good"). It displaced the older Old English word līcian, which survives today as "like.".
Is “please” a common word?
“Please” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “please” have?
“Please” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone happy or satisfied.
What is the difference between 'please' as a verb and 'please' as a polite word?
As a verb, 'please' means to make someone happy or satisfied, as in 'she aims to please.' As a courtesy word, 'please' softens a request ('Please sit down'). Same spelling, different jobs: the verb describes giving satisfaction, while the polite form simply makes an ask more courteous.
What does 'eager to please' mean?
Someone 'eager to please' is keen to make others happy and win their approval, often going out of their way to be helpful or agreeable. It can be a warm compliment, though it sometimes hints that a person tries too hard to satisfy everyone at their own expense.
What is the opposite of please?
In this sense the opposites are 'displease,' 'annoy,' 'upset,' and 'disappoint' — all meaning to make someone unhappy or dissatisfied. Where 'please' brings satisfaction and pleasure, these words describe the frustration or letdown felt when a person's wishes or expectations are not met.
What is an example of 'please' used as a verb?
'He works hard to please his customers,' 'It pleased her greatly to hear the news,' and 'You can't please everyone' all use the verb. It describes the act of giving someone pleasure, satisfaction, or contentment, whether through effort, words, or a happy outcome.