pleasantries
|pleas/an/tries|
B2
/ˈplɛzəntriz/
(pleasantry)
polite social remark
Etymology
Etymology Information
'pleasantry' originates from French, specifically the word 'plaisanterie,' where 'plaisanter' meant 'to joke or jest.'
Historical Evolution
'plaisanterie' transformed into the English word 'pleasantry' during the 17th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a joke or jest,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'polite social remark.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a polite social remark or conversation, often superficial or trivial in nature.
They exchanged pleasantries before starting the meeting.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/02 22:06