please

1 of 2

verb

ˈplēz 

pleased; pleasing

intransitive verb

1

: to afford or give pleasure or satisfaction

2

: like, wish

do as you please

3

archaic : to have the kindness

will you please to enter the carriage

—Charles Dickens

transitive verb

1

: to give pleasure to : gratify

2

: to be the will or pleasure of

may it please Your Majesty

please

2 of 2

adverb

1

—used as a function word to express politeness or emphasis in a request

please come in

2

—used as a function word to express polite affirmation

like some tea? Please

3

—used as a function word to express scornful disagreement, disapproval, or disbelief

you believe that? Oh, please

Synonyms

Verb

• agree (with)
• content
• delight
• feast
• gas [slang]
• glad [archaic]
• gladden
• gratify
• pleasure
• rejoice
• satisfy
• suit
• warm

Examples of please in a Sentence

Verb

He joined the football team to please his father.

Her parents were pleased by her decision.

It pleases me to know that you liked the gift.

They're very hard to please.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2008, Yang arrived at NYU, set on a pre-med path in part to please his parents and in part to indulge his idolization of Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy. —Sarah Burke, Them, 23 Oct. 2024

Recently, what pleased Strawberry was getting into the garage and breaking into the leftover cases of beer, causing Mullins to find the pet pig a little worse for wear. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Naturally, during the 113 years those bells have hung in Mitchell Tower, there have been Hyde Park residents asking if these (expletive) change ringers would please stop. —Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 23 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English plesen, from Anglo-French plaisir, pleisir, pleire, from Latin placēre; akin to Latin placare to placate and perhaps to Greek plak-, plax flat surface — more at fluke entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adverb

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing please

• as you please
• if you please
• please yourself

Kids Definition

please

1 of 2 verb

ˈplēz 

pleased; pleasing

1

: to give pleasure or satisfaction

the new show will really please you

2

: to feel the desire : like

do what you please

please

2 of 2 adverb

—used to express politeness in a request

please come in