Reading Theme:
Pleasure Meaning, Examples & Common Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：happy feeling (pleasure)
pleasure
/ˈplɛʒər/
n.
It's the happy feeling you get when something good happens, like eating your favorite food or hearing good news.
happy feeling
➕
/ˈhæpi ˈfiːlɪŋ/
n.
The enjoyable, positive emotion experienced when something good happens, such as eating delicious food or receiving good news.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Old French 'plaisir' (to please), from Latin 'placēre' (to please, be agreeable).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'Plea-sure' – when someone pleases you, you feel pure pleasure.
📖 Example
Seeing my old friend's smile filled me with pleasure and warmth.
Seeing my old friend's smile filled me with pleasure and warmth.
🔗 Collocations
take pleasure in – to enjoy or get satisfaction from something
with pleasure – willingly and happily
great pleasure – intense enjoyment or satisfaction
🔄 Synonyms
joy (n.) – a feeling of great happiness
delight (n.) – pleasure, especially when caused by something pleasing
satisfaction (n.) – the feeling of fulfillment from achieving something
🚫 Antonyms
displeasure (n.) – a feeling of annoyance or dissatisfaction
sorrow (n.) – deep sadness caused by loss or disappointment
pain (n.) – physical or emotional suffering
🌱 Derivatives
pleasurable (adj.) – giving pleasure
please (v.) – to make someone happy
displeasure (n.) – the opposite of pleasure; annoyance
📖 Cultural Story
In modern English, 'pleasure' is often used in polite responses like 'My pleasure' after a thank you, reflecting a social norm of humble service originating in 18th-century etiquette.
Meaning 2：enjoyable activity (pleasure)
pleasure
/ˈplɛʒər/
n.
An activity or thing that makes you feel happy and satisfied.
enjoyable activity
➕
/ɪnˈdʒɔɪəbəl ækˈtɪvɪti/
n.
An activity or thing that provides happiness and satisfaction, often pursued in leisure time.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Reading a good book by the fireplace is one of my greatest pleasures in winter.
Reading a good book by the fireplace is one of my greatest pleasures in winter.
🔗 Collocations
simple pleasures – small, everyday activities that bring happiness
guilty pleasure – an activity enjoyed despite feeling it is not respectable
pleasure trip – a journey taken for fun rather than business
🔄 Synonyms
enjoyment (n.) – the state of taking pleasure in something
entertainment (n.) – an activity that amuses or occupies the mind
pastime (n.) – a hobby or leisure activity
Wordbook
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