pleasing
gb/plˈizɪŋ/ us/plˈizɪŋ/
B1
English
~ 3500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Giving enjoyment or satisfaction
Making you feel happy or satisfied.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pleasing [to someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pleasing' with 'pleasant'. 'Pleasing' often describes the effect something has on someone, while 'pleasant' describes the thing itself or an experience in general.
Synonyms
agreeable (Slightly more formal and often used for people or situations that are easy to like.)
|
enjoyable (Focuses more on the personal experience of fun or pleasure.)
Antonyms
unpleasant (Direct opposite; causes discomfort or dislike.)
|
displeasing (Formal opposite; causes dissatisfaction.)
Collocations
visually pleasing
|pleasing result
|pleasing sound
|pleasing design
|pleasing experience
Themes
emotions
|aesthetics
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The colors in the painting are very pleasing to the eye.
- Her performance was pleasing to the audience.
- The room had a pleasing scent of fresh flowers.
- He found her company very pleasing.
- The design is simple yet pleasing.
Learner examples
- The music is pleasing to my ears.
- This cake is pleasing to eat.
- The movie was pleasing to watch.
- The garden is pleasing in spring.
- Her smile is pleasing to see.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
Meeting expectations or standards
Being the way people want or expect, making them happy.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pleasing [in/as/to terms of something]
Synonyms
satisfactory (Focuses more on meeting requirements rather than emotional enjoyment.)
Antonyms
unsatisfactory (Fails to meet standards or expectations.)
Collocations
pleasing arrangement
|pleasing symmetry
|pleasing composition
Themes
evaluation
|judgment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The architect created a pleasing balance between form and function.
- His report was pleasing in its clarity and thoroughness.
- They achieved a pleasing compromise between cost and quality.
Learner examples
- The plan is pleasing to the boss.
- Her work is pleasing in quality.
- The result is pleasing for the team.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pleasing
IPA
GB/plˈizɪŋ/
US/plˈizɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
pleas - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pleas)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pleasing
Word family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unpleasant
adjective B1
displease
verb
displeased
adjective
displeasing
adjective
displeasure
noun B2
Advanced or less common
pleasurable
adjective B2
pleasurably
adverb
Expressions
pleasing to the ear
1/plˈizɪŋ tə ðə ˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Pleasant to listen to
Nice to hear.
Examples
- His voice is deep and pleasing to the ear.
- The gentle music was pleasing to the ear.
pleasing to the eye
1/plˈizɪŋ tə ðə ˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Visually attractive or appealing
Nice to look at.
Examples
- The garden is especially pleasing to the eye in spring.
- Her dress was simple but pleasing to the eye.