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to please

to please

216 1.0
To make someone happy or satisfied
  • verb
  • /pliz/
translation icon : agradar
  • The chef always strives to please his guests with exquisite meals.
  • try to please
  • want to please
  • desire to please

A child always tries to please his or her parent.

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Examples

  • A child always tries to please his or her parent.

  • Well, would that please you?

  • I have something that would please them.

  • "Okay, okay," he said as much to please her as to help himself.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The child may then start to draw things to try to please you.

    Academic text (2011)
  • When there was a positive, respectful relationship, students took direction well and worked to please the teacher.

    Academic text (2012)
  • To be frank, it would please me if her recent interest in perfumes proved sincere.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In interviews, international stars sought to please their hosts by praising the country's accepted symbols.

    Academic text (2017)
  • I love to please my friends by organizing fun outings.

  • Her performance in the school play was meant to please the audience.

Synonyms

to satisfy
vsto please
172 2.0

Make someone happy by meeting their need or wish

focuses on general happiness rather than only meeting needs
to delight
vsto please
79 2.1

To please someone very much

expresses milder ordinary happiness rather than intense joy
to gratify
vsto please
11 4.6

To please someone or make them feel happy

is the common everyday way to make someone happy
to pleasure
vsto please
3 3.5

To give someone enjoyment or happiness

is the same idea but in a more everyday sense
to gladden
vsto please
1 3.5

To make someone feel happy

focuses on satisfying needs and wishes, not only feelings

Antonyms

28 4.7

To make someone feel annoyed or unhappy

Idioms

pretty please
  • Baby Talk
8 7.6

A polite, pleading way to ask someone for something

A person who is not easily satisfied and often complains

To make food or drink taste good for someone

A question asking which person is the real one

Compounds

A person who is not easily pleased and often complains

People can do what they want without rules or plans

How Pleasing

to enchant
17 4.8
to please
216 1.0
to satisfy
172 2.0

Surface Forms

please infinitive
pleased past
pleased past participle
pleasing present participle
pleases third person singular

Etymology

The verb please comes from the Latin root placere, meaning 'to be pleasing', and is the same root as pleasure and pleasant. To please someone is simply to give them 'pleasure' or make them happy.