Pleased: meaning, definitions and examples

😊
Add to dictionary

pleased

 

[pliːzd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

feeling or showing pleasure and satisfaction, especially at an event or a situation

Synonyms

content, happy, satisfied.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pleased

When you want to express a general sense of satisfaction or happiness, often specifically directed at someone or something.

  • He was pleased with the results of his hard work
  • She was pleased to meet her old friend
happy

When expressing a more general and often momentary feeling of joy or delight, sometimes in a broader sense than 'pleased'.

  • She was happy to receive the gift
  • They felt happy during the holiday season
satisfied

Mostly used to express fulfillment of needs or expectations, often in a more measured or formal way.

  • The customer was satisfied with the service
  • He was satisfied after eating a hearty meal
content

When you want to convey a deeper or more stable sense of satisfaction and peace, often related to being at ease with one's situation in life.

  • She felt content after moving to the countryside
  • Despite the challenges, he was content with his life

Examples of usage

  • I am pleased to hear that you passed the exam.
  • She was pleased with the outcome of the project.
Context #2 | Adjective

polite

willing to do something or to help, in a way that is polite and shows you are happy to do it

Synonyms

gratified, obliged, willing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pleased

This word is often used when expressing satisfaction or happiness about something that has happened or is happening.

  • She was pleased with her test results.
  • I'm pleased to meet you.
willing

This word indicates a readiness or eagerness to do something, without any sense of obligation or external pressure.

  • She is willing to volunteer for the event.
  • He is willing to take on more responsibilities at work.
gratified

This word conveys a deeper sense of satisfaction and often implies that someone's expectations or desires have been fulfilled.

  • He was gratified by the positive feedback from his boss.
  • She felt gratified when her hard work was recognized.
obliged

This word is typically used to express gratitude and a feeling of indebtedness when someone has done something for you. It might also carry a sense of duty or necessity.

  • I am much obliged to you for your assistance.
  • He felt obliged to help his friend move.

Examples of usage

  • I would be pleased to assist you with your request.
  • He was pleased to offer his help.
Context #3 | Verb

action

to make someone happy or satisfied

Synonyms

delight, gladden, satisfy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pleased

This word is used to describe a general sense of happiness or satisfaction. It's often used in polite or formal situations, especially when expressing gratitude or approval.

  • I am very pleased with your work.
  • She was pleased to hear the good news.
satisfy

This word is used to describe meeting expectations or fulfilling a need or desire. It is often used in the context of completing a task or achieving a goal.

  • The meal was enough to satisfy everyone.
  • Her explanation did little to satisfy my curiosity.
delight

This word expresses a stronger feeling of happiness or joy. It's often used when something brings a lot of pleasure or excitement.

  • The children's laughter brought delight to everyone.
  • He was delighted to receive the award.
gladden

This word is less commonly used in everyday conversation and can sound somewhat old-fashioned. It often refers to making someone feel happy or more cheerful.

  • The news of her recovery gladdened everyone's hearts.
  • It gladdens me to see you so happy.

Examples of usage

  • The chef was pleased with how the dish turned out.
  • She was pleased by the thoughtful gift.

Translations

Translations of the word "pleased" in other languages:

🇵🇹 satisfeito

🇮🇳 प्रसन्न

🇩🇪 zufrieden

🇮🇩 senang

🇺🇦 задоволений

🇵🇱 zadowolony

🇯🇵 満足した

🇫🇷 satisfait

🇪🇸 satisfecho

🇹🇷 memnun

🇰🇷 만족한

🇸🇦 راضٍ

🇨🇿 spokojený

🇸🇰 spokojný

🇨🇳 满意的

🇸🇮 zadovoljen

🇮🇸 ánægður

🇰🇿 қанағаттанған

🇬🇪 კმაყოფილი

🇦🇿 məmnun

🇲🇽 satisfecho

Etymology

The word 'pleased' originated from the Middle English word 'plesed', which came from the Old French word 'plaisir', meaning 'to please'. The term has been used in English since the 14th century and has evolved over time to convey feelings of satisfaction, happiness, and contentment.

See also: displease, displeased, displeasedly, displeasing, displeasingness, pleasant, pleasing, pleasingly, unpleased, unpleasingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,489, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.