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Synonyms

pleasant

American  
[plez-uhnt] / ˈplɛz ənt /

adjective

  1. pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure.

    pleasant news.
    Synonyms:
    gratifying, welcome

  2. (of persons, manners, disposition, etc.) socially acceptable or adept; polite; amiable; agreeable.

    Synonyms:
    friendly, congenial, delightful

  3. fair, as weather.

    a pleasant summer day.

  4. Archaic. lively, sprightly, or merry.

  5. Obsolete. jocular or facetious.

pleasant British  
/ ˈplɛzənt /

adjective

  1. giving or affording pleasure; enjoyable

  2. having pleasing or agreeable manners, appearance, habits, etc

  3. obsolete merry and lively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • pleasantly adverb
  • pleasantness noun

Etymology

Origin of pleasant

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English plesaunt, from Old French plaisant, originally present participle of plaisir “to please”; equivalent to please + -ant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I waved and forced a pleasant expression before ducking inside.

From Literature

At the same time, the author’s easy way with an anecdote makes reading “Advance Britannia” effortlessly pleasant.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stay for the pleasant, upscale setting that retains its character.

From The Wall Street Journal

Surprise — much less pleasant surprise — is a rare sensation these days.

From Salon

And Please, a slick piece of harmonic pop, is perfectly pleasant without leaving a lasting impression.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.