pleasure
17 synonyms and 1 antonyms for pleasure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment.
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.
Antonyms
How to use pleasure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French plaisir/plesir, ultimately from Latin placere ("to please"). Closely related to please.
Full origin of pleasure →Frequently asked questions
What does “pleasure” mean?
The word “pleasure” means a feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment. In plain terms, enjoyment or satisfaction, whether from a simple everyday moment or a more intimate one.
How do you pronounce “pleasure”?
“Pleasure” is pronounced PLEH-zhuh (/ˈplɛʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pleasure” in a sentence?
Here is “pleasure” used in a sentence: “Reading in bed on a rainy day is one of life's simple pleasures.”
What is another word for “pleasure”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pleasure” include beatitude, bliss, delectation, delight, ecstasy and euphoria.
What is the opposite of “pleasure”?
The opposite of “pleasure” — its antonyms — is agony.
What part of speech is “pleasure”?
Depending on how it is used, “pleasure” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pleasure” come from?
The word “pleasure” comes from Latin. From Old French plaisir/plesir, ultimately from Latin placere ("to please"). Closely related to please.
Is “pleasure” a common word?
“Pleasure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between pleasure and happiness?
Pleasure is usually an immediate, often physical or sensory enjoyment — a good meal, a warm bath, a favourite song. Happiness is a deeper, longer-lasting sense of contentment and wellbeing. Pleasure tends to come and go in moments; happiness is a broader, more settled state of mind.
What is the difference between pleasure and joy?
Pleasure is a pleasant feeling tied to enjoyment or satisfaction, often momentary and sometimes sensory. Joy is usually stronger, deeper, and more emotional — a lasting gladness that can rise above circumstances. You can take pleasure in small comforts, but joy tends to fill and move you more completely.
What are the types of pleasure?
People often distinguish physical or sensory pleasures — food, warmth, touch, music — from mental or emotional ones, such as the satisfaction of solving a problem or helping someone. There are also social pleasures found in company. All share the same core: a feeling of enjoyment or gratification.
Is pleasure a positive word?
Yes. Pleasure describes enjoyment, satisfaction, and happiness, so it is overwhelmingly positive. It also appears in polite, warm expressions like 'my pleasure' and 'a pleasure to meet you.' Only in phrases warning against excess does it carry any caution, and even then the feeling itself remains agreeable.