ˈplez ə nt adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English plesaunt, from Middle French plaisant, from present participle of plaisir to please — more at please
1. : agreeable to the senses : having a pleasing aspect : satisfying
hills that make very pleasant scenery — Jane Shellhase
the changes make for a pleasanter life — C.B.Palmer b. 1910
2.
a. : divertingly gay and sprightly : merry
there will be wit from one auctioneer, and pleasant clowning from another — Cornelius Weygandt
b. archaic : causing diversion : laughable
c. : merrily tipsy : hilariously drunk
3. : having or characterized by good behavior and neat appearance : well-mannered
a pleasant scoundrel who certainly knew how to avoid risking his neck — H.J.Laski
a very pleasant person to live with — Mary Austin
Synonyms:
pleasing , agreeable , grateful , gratifying , welcome : these adjectives agree in meaning very acceptable to or delighting the mind or senses. pleasant and pleasing are often indistinguishable in having the basic meaning of the group, although usually pleasant implies an objective quality while pleasing suggests only the effect an object has upon one
a pleasant riverside walk — S.P.B.Mais
a bottle of … pleasant red or white wine — Harry Gilroy
its streamlined shape is pleasing to the eye and appeals to the esthetic sense — H.G.Armstrong
a pleasing group of white clapboard houses with small lawns — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
agreeable implies a harmony with one's tastes or likings
a small room … simple and agreeable, with whitewashed walls, rusty linen curtains at the windows, and a wide inviting wooden bed — Gordon Merrick
a pretty face with its agreeable snub nose — Ethel Wilson
grateful implies both pleasing and agreeable and stresses a satisfaction and especially relief afforded the senses or mind
the log fire was a grateful warmth against the lingering chill of April — Lucien Price
the grateful smell of cooking pork grew every moment more perfect — Ethel Anderson
placing every instrument in its most brilliant and grateful register — Virgil Thomson
gratifying applies chiefly to what affords mental pleasure by satisfying desires, hopes, or conscience
the building is aesthetically gratifying — American Guide Series: Louisiana
with gratifying rapidity this promise was fulfilled — Allan Nevins
welcome even more than pleasing stresses a pleasure or satisfaction given by the thing to which the word is applied, often suggesting a prior need or longing satisfied by the thing
a screen playwright and craftsman of fresh-springing wit and welcome intelligence — Lee Rogow
the sweet trill of a toad and the voice of the peeper are a welcome chorus — A.F.Gustafson