pleasantry
pleasantry Lexical Profile
pleasantry Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An inconsequential, polite remark made as part of a formal or casual conversation (usually used in the plural).
"After exchanging a few brief pleasantries about the weather, the negotiators turned their attention to the contract."
A mild, playful joke or humorous remark, or the quality of being good-naturedly playful in conversation.
"He smiled at her gentle pleasantry, realizing she was only teasing him about his punctuality."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary English, it is used almost exclusively in the plural ('pleasantries') to refer to polite social remarks exchanged as a greeting before serious conversation.
• Rhymes for pleasantry
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from French 'plaisanterie' ('joking, jest'), from 'plaisanter' ('to joke'), derived from 'plaisant' ('pleasant'), ultimately from Latin 'placere' ('to please').