Definition

1. Noun:
   • A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment: A positive emotional state resulting from something that is enjoyable or fulfilling.
   • An event or activity from which one derives enjoyment: Something that is done for enjoyment rather than for a serious or practical purpose.
   • Sensual gratification or enjoyment: Specifically, enjoyment derived from physical, often sexual, sensations.
   • A person's will or desire: Used in formal contexts to indicate what someone wishes or prefers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Reading a good book is one of life's simple pleasures. (Describes a source of enjoyment.)
  • She smiled with pleasure when she saw the gift. (Describes a feeling of happy satisfaction.)
  • He serves at the pleasure of the board of directors. (Formal expression meaning according to their will or desire.)
  • The meal was a great pleasure. (Describes something that provides enjoyment.)

Advanced Usage

• "At someone's pleasure": According to someone's wish or command; for as long as they desire.
  • The ambassador serves at the pleasure of the President.
• "My pleasure" or "It's a pleasure": A polite formula used in response to thanks or as part of an offer.
  • "Thank you for your help." – "My pleasure."
• "To take pleasure in (something/doing something)": To enjoy something or find it satisfying.
  • He takes great pleasure in gardening.

Variants and Related Words

• Pleasurable (adjective): Giving pleasure; enjoyable.
  • We spent a pleasurable afternoon by the lake.
• Pleasure-seeking (adjective, noun): The act of or tendency to seek enjoyment, especially of a sensual kind.
  • His pleasure-seeking lifestyle left him unfulfilled.
• Pleasure principle (noun): In psychoanalysis, the instinctive drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Synonyms

• Enjoyment: The state or process of taking pleasure in something.
• Delight: Great pleasure.
• Gratification: Pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire.
• Satisfaction: Fulfillment of one's wishes, expectations, or needs.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Pleasure in (archaic/formal verb): To take pleasure or delight in something.
  • He pleasures in the simple things in life.

Related Idioms

• "With pleasure": Willingly and gladly. Used to express polite agreement.
  • "Could you pass the salt?" – "With pleasure."
• "A man/woman of pleasure" (archaic): A person devoted to the pursuit of sensual enjoyment.
• "Mix business with pleasure": To combine work activities with social or enjoyable ones.
  • The conference was a chance to mix business with pleasure.

Noun

1. sexual gratification
   • he took his pleasure of her
2. an activity that affords enjoyment
   • he puts duty before pleasure
3. a formal expression
   • he serves at the pleasure of the President
4. something or someone that provides a source of happiness
   • a joy to behold
   • the pleasure of his company
   • the new car is a delight
5. a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
   • he was tingling with pleasure