# pleasure

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈplɛʒə/ · frequency rank #2,639

## Definitions
1. A state of being pleased or contented; gratification.
2. A person, thing or action that causes enjoyment.
3. Sexual enjoyment.
4. One's preference.
5. The will or desire of someone or some agency in power.

## Etymology
From Early Modern English pleasur, plesur, alteration (with ending accommodated to -ure) of Middle English plaisir (“pleasure”), from Old French plesir, plaisir (“to please”), infinitive used as a noun, conjugated form of plaisir or plaire, from Latin placeō (“to please, to seem good”), from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂-k- (“wide and flat”). Related to Dutch plezier (“pleasure, fun”). More at please.

## Easily confused with
- **pressure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pleasure-vs-pressure)
- **pleasures** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pleasure-vs-pleasures)
- **please** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/please-vs-pleasure)
- **pleaser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pleaser-vs-pleasure)

## Common misspellings (11)
`lpeasure`, `pelasure`, `plaesure`, `pleasrue`, `pleassure`, `pleasuer`, `pleasurre`, `pleausre`, `plesaure`, `plleasure`, `ppleasure`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pleasure