I. please 1 S1 W2 /pliːz/ BrE AmE interjection
1 . used to be polite when asking someone to do something:
Could you please clean up the living room?
Sit down, please.
Please be quiet!
2 . used to be polite when asking for something:
I’d like a cup of coffee, please.
Please can I go to Rebecca’s house?
3 . said in order to politely accept something that someone offers you:
‘More wine?’ ‘Yes, please.’
4 . Please! informal
a) said when you think what someone has just said or asked is not possible or reasonable:
Oh, please, he’d never do that.
b) used to ask someone to stop behaving badly:
Alison! Please!
5 . please Sir/Mrs Towers etc British English spoken used by children to get an adult’s attention
II. please 2 W3 BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ pleasant ≠ ↑ unpleasant , ↑ pleased ≠ ↑ displeased , ↑ pleasing ≠ ↑ displeasing , ↑ pleasurable ; adverb : ↑ pleasantly ≠ ↑ unpleasantly , ↑ pleasingly , ↑ pleasurably ; noun : ↑ pleasantry , ↑ pleasure ≠ ↑ displeasure ; verb : ↑ please ≠ ↑ displease ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: plaisir , from Latin placere 'to please, be decided' ]
1 . [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to make someone happy or satisfied:
a business that wants to please its customers
She did everything she could to please him.
Most children are eager to please.
be hard/easy/impossible etc to please
She’s hard to please. Everything has to be perfect.
2 . [intransitive not in progressive] used in some phrases to show that someone can do or have what they want:
She does what she pleases.
however/whatever etc you please
You can spend the money however you please.
With the Explorer pass, you can get on and off the bus as you please.
3 . please yourself spoken used when telling someone to do whatever they like, even though really you think they are making the wrong choice:
‘I don’t think I’ll go.’ ‘Okay, please yourself.’
4 . if you please old-fashioned
a) formal used to politely ask someone to do something:
Close the door, if you please.
b) British English used to show that you are surprised, angry, or annoyed about something:
He asked me, in my own house if you please, to leave the room!
5 . bold/calm/cool etc as you please British English spoken very ↑ bold , calm etc, in a way that is surprising:
He just walked in and sat down, as bold as you please.
6 . please God used to express a very strong hope or wish:
Everything will be all right, please God.