please

1 of 2

verb

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 carriageCharles 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The character became shorthand for difficult-to-please bosses no matter the industry, and Streep earned one of her many Oscar nominations for her performance. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Serve with an easy Cucumber Vidalia Onion Salad or Ranch Green Beans for a meal that will please the whole family. Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
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 Residing just beneath that easygoing, eager-to-please, everyman exterior was a chronic anxiety that reached a crippling peak during his final years. Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for please

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of please was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Please.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/please. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

please

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on please

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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