What does "pleasure" mean?
Pleasure: 2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; -- opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. "Not sunk in carnal pleasure." Milton. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man. Prov. xxi.
Additional senses
- 2.Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2 Tim. iii.
- 3.3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. "He will do his pleasure on Babylon." Isa. xlviii.
- 4.Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you to come, let not my letter. Shak.
- 5.That which pleases; a favor; a gratification. Shak. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure Acts xxv.
- 6.At pleasure, by arbitrary will or choice. Dryden. -- To take pleasure in, to have enjoyment in. Ps. cxlvii.
- 7.Note: Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of self- explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure ground; pleasure house, etc.
- 8.To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. Shak. [Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith. Tennyson.
- 9.To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go pleasuring.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00