please

[ pleez ]

adverb

1. (used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) if you would be so obliging; kindly:

   Please come here.

   Will you please turn the radio off?

verb (used with object)

, pleased, pleas·ing.

1. to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of:

   to please the public.

2. to be the pleasure or will of:

   May it please your Majesty.

verb (used without object)

, pleased, pleas·ing.

1. to like, wish, or feel inclined:

   Go where you please.

   Synonyms: wish, want, like, choose

2. to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable:

   manners that please.

please

/ ˈpliːzɪdlɪ; pliːz /

verb

1. to give satisfaction, pleasure, or contentment to (a person); make or cause (a person) to be glad
2. to be the will of or have the will (to)

   the court pleases

   if it pleases you

3. if you please
   if you will or wish, sometimes used in ironic exclamation
4. pleased with
   happy because of
5. please oneself
   to do as one likes

adverb

1. sentence modifier used in making polite requests and in pleading, asking for a favour, etc

   please don't tell the police where I am

2. yes please
   a polite formula for accepting an offer, invitation, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈpleaser, noun
• pleased, adjective
• ˈpleasable, adjective
• pleasedly, adverb

Other Words From

• pleas·a·ble adjective
• pleas·ed·ly [plee, -zid-lee, pleezd, -], adverb
• pleas·ed·ness noun
• pleas·er noun
• half-pleased adjective
• out·please verb (used with object) outpleased outpleasing
• o·ver·please verb overpleased overpleasing
• self-pleased adjective
• un·pleas·a·ble adjective
• un·pleased adjective
• well-pleased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of please¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English plesen, plaisen, from Middle French plaisir, ultimately from Latin placēre “to please, seem good” ( placid ); the use of please with requests, etc., is presumably a reduction of the clause (it) please you “may it please you,” later reinforced by imperative use of intransitive please to be pleased, wish

Word History and Origins

Origin of please¹

C14 plese, from Old French plaisir, from Latin placēre to please, satisfy

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. if you please,
   1. if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.
   2. (used as an exclamation expressing astonishment, indignation, etc.):

      The missing letter was in his pocket, if you please!

More idioms and phrases containing please

see as you please .

Example Sentences

“There were more challenging sequences, but I’m very pleased by our cemetery funeral,” Eggers points out.

From Los Angeles Times

If you are suffering in a similar situation, whether you’re 23 or 83, please reach out for help.

From Los Angeles Times

Rahul Siddharthan of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, who chaired a group on open science, is pleased the agreement will reportedly cover APCs.

From Science Magazine

Bove's teammate former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea said on X, external: "'God please' accompanied with a prayer hands emoji."

From BBC

"It's not as great when you're losing but to be eight points down and find a way is very pleasing for us."

From BBC

Related Words

• amuse
• charm
• cheer
• entertain
• gratify
• satisfy
• tickle
• wow