To please
/pliːz/
verbA2
Definition
To please means to do something that makes another person feel happy or satisfied. It often involves acting in a way that meets their wishes or desires. People try to please others by being kind, helpful, or giving what they want.
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See It in Action
To cause happiness or satisfaction to someone
- •She tried to please her parents by studying hard.
- •The gift pleased him very much.
- •He smiled to please his friends.
To be polite when asking for something (used in requests)
- •Please, can you help me?
- •Would you please sit down?
- •Please pass the salt.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "please" like "make happy," but with action—it's the verb for causing happiness or satisfaction.
- ✓Picture giving a friend their favorite food and seeing them smile because you pleased them.
- ✓It’s the warm feeling you get when someone says “thank you” because you did something nice for them.
- ✓Sounds like "please" → imagine someone politely asking for something, hoping to make the other person happy.
- ✓Remember the phrase "please" used in polite requests—it’s about making others comfortable and happy.
- ✓NOT like "want" (which is your own desire), "please" is about making someone else happy.
- ✓NOT like "force" (make someone do something), "please" is about willing happiness or satisfaction.
- ✓NOT like "give" (just handing something over), "please" means the other person feels good about what you do.
Try Other Words
- •Satisfy: to make someone feel content or happy (Use when focusing on meeting needs or desires)
- •Delight: to give great pleasure or joy (Use when the happiness is strong or special)
- •Gratify: to please by giving what is wanted (Use in more formal or emotional contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "please" (simple root word, no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old French "plaisir," meaning "to please" or "give pleasure"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1300s to show kindness or to make happy
- •Modern usage: Commonly used both to talk about making others happy and in polite requests ("please")
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you please someone? Can you remember a time you made someone happy by your actions?
•Why do you think saying "please" is important in polite conversation?
Fill in the blanks
1.She worked hard to please her ___ by doing her homework well.
2.When you want to ask for help politely, you say "___, can you help me?"
3.To please someone, you often need to understand what they ___ or like.
4.He smiled to ___ his friends and show he cared.
5.Saying "please" in a request makes the other person feel more ___.
6.If you only do something for yourself, you might not ___ others.
7.The surprise party was planned to ___ the birthday girl and make her happy.