pleaser

Pleaser is a noun that denotes a person who tries to please others, often by accommodating their wishes and avoiding conflict. In everyday use, it can be neutral, describing a cooperative temperament, or pejorative, implying self-sacrifice or a compulsive need for approval. The term is commonly encountered in discussions of social behavior, relationships, and workplace dynamics, where people-pleasing can influence decision making and boundaries.

Etymology: The word is formed from the verb please with the agent suffix -er. Please derives from the Old French plaire, from Latin placere, meaning to be agreeable or satisfy. The agent noun pleaser emerged in English to refer to someone who performs acts intended to please others.

Usage and implications: In psychology and self-help contexts, "people-pleasing" describes a pattern of prioritizing others' needs over one's own, often to avoid disapproval or conflict. It can be linked to high agreeableness, anxiety, or dysfunctional relationship patterns, but it is not a clinical disorder by itself. Recognizing the tendency can be a first step toward setting boundaries and self-advocacy.

Other uses: Pleaser is also the brand name of a line of platform and high-heeled footwear widely sold for dance and performance. In fashion and entertainment media, the term "Pleaser" may appear as a brand label rather than a descriptor of behavior.

See also: People-pleaser; boundary setting; codependency; agreeableness.