pleased

The word “pleased” means happy or satisfied about something. In plain terms, feeling happy or satisfied, usually about a specific result or piece of news.

“Pleased” is pronounced pleezd (/pliːzd/ in IPA).

Here is “pleased” used in a sentence: “She was pleased with her exam results.”

“Pleased” is an adjective.

“Pleased” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Happy describes a broad, lasting state of joy or contentment, while pleased is usually narrower and tied to a specific cause — you are pleased about, with, or by something. You can feel happy for no reason, but being pleased almost always points to a particular outcome that met your hopes.

Pleased works in both registers, but it leans slightly formal and polite. Phrases like 'pleased to meet you' or 'we are pleased to announce' sound courteous and professional. In casual speech people often reach for glad or happy instead, saving pleased for moments that call for a little more warmth or courtesy.

You might say, 'She was pleased with her exam results,' or 'I'm pleased that you could come.' The word typically pairs with with, about, that, or to — as in 'pleased to help.' Each example points to a specific reason for the satisfaction, which is the hallmark of feeling pleased.

The clearest opposites are displeased, annoyed, and dissatisfied. Displeased is the direct negative, suggesting mild disapproval, while disappointed captures the feeling when something falls short of what you hoped for. Which fits best depends on tone: displeased sounds formal, whereas annoyed and dissatisfied feel more everyday.