pleasurable

adjective

plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-rə-bəl 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-,

ˈplā-

: causing a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment : pleasant

a pleasurable sensation

pleasurable emotions

the pleasurable effects of a drug

There aren't many more pleasurable activities than shaking your thing in the streets, surrounded by all the sights and sounds of the carnival.

—Time Out

The movie takes you away, and much of the trip is a pleasurable experience, with dazzling visuals, a bright score coupled with insanely catchy pop tunes, and a charismatic cast.

—Ed Johnson-Ott

pleasurability

ˌplezh-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌplāzh-;

ˌple-zhə-

ˌplā-

noun

The right varietals and blends take spicy, umami and sweet Asian flavors to an entirely new level of pleasurability for guests …

—Mary Melton

pleasurableness

ˈplezh-rə-bəl-nəs 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-

ˈplā-

noun

… we can attest to the pleasurableness of the New England clam chowder …

—Frank Cohen

pleasurably

ˈplezh-rə-blē 

ˈplāzh-;

ˈple-zhə-

ˈplā-

adverb

Have you ever dug your feet into the warm, soft surface of a white sand beach? Felt the fine, dry grains slide pleasurably between your toes?

—Rafi Letzter

Synonyms

• agreeable
• blessed
• blest
• congenial
• darling
• delectable
• delicious
• delightful
• delightsome
• dreamy
• dulcet
• enjoyable
• felicitous
• good
• grateful
• gratifying
• heavenly
• jolly
• luscious
• nice
• palatable
• pleasant
• pleasing
• pretty
• satisfying
• savory
• savoury
• sweet
• tasty
• welcome

Examples of pleasurable in a Sentence

a pleasurable hot bath after a tiring day

a number of pleasurable additions to the state fair this year

Recent Examples on the Web

This encourages mindfulness and helps partners discover new forms of pleasurable touch. Communicate and reflect. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025

Partly in response to this successful campaign, some on the right have recently begun to view tobacco and other forms of nicotine delivery as not merely a pleasurable vice but a source of virtue. —Jack Butler, National Review, 26 Jan. 2025

The season takes new turns while remaining the most ambitious, batty and all-out pleasurable show on TV, an M.C. Escher maze whose plot convolutions never get in the way of its voice, heart and sense of humor. —James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

Try to identify the circumstances in which the friendship is still pleasurable and reorganize your time and your plans around them. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pleasurable

adjective

plea·​sur·​able ˈplezh-(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈplāzh-

: pleasant sense 1

pleasurably

-blē 

adverb