pleasure

 
Pronunciation: /ˈplɛʒə/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment: she smiled with pleasure at being praised
  • enjoyment and entertainment, as opposed to necessity: she had not travelled for pleasure for a long time
  • [count noun] an event or activity from which one derives enjoyment: the car makes driving in the city a pleasure
  • sensual gratification: the touch of his fingers gave her such pleasure

adjective

[attributive]
  • used or intended for entertainment rather than business: pleasure boats

verb

[with object]
  • give sexual enjoyment or satisfaction to: tell me what will pleasure you
  • [no object] (pleasure in) derive enjoyment from: risky verbal exchanges that the pair might pleasure in

Phrases

at Her (or His) Majesty's pleasure

detained in a British prison: his sharp practice cost him a term at Her Majesty’s pleasure

at someone's pleasure

as and when someone wishes: the landlord could terminate the agreement at his pleasure

have the pleasure of something (or of doing something)

used in formal requests and descriptions: he asked if he might have the pleasure of taking her to lunch

my pleasure

used as a polite reply to thanks: ‘Oh, thank you!’ ‘My pleasure.’

take pleasure in

derive happiness or enjoyment from: they take a perverse pleasure in causing trouble

what's your pleasure?

what would you like? (used especially when offering someone a choice): ‘What’s your pleasure?’ ‘A cappuccino, please.’

with pleasure

gladly (used to express polite agreement or acceptance): ‘Would you mind telling me how far it is to this address?’ ‘With pleasure.’

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French plaisir 'to please' (used as a noun). The second syllable was altered under the influence of abstract nouns ending in -ure, such as measure