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de·lec·ta·ble
di-ˈlek-tə-bəl 
1
: highly pleasing : delightful
a delectable melody
2
: delicious
a delectable meal
: something that is highly pleasing or delicious
especially
: a delicious food item
pastries and other delectables
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Adjective
The meals he prepares are always delectable.
one of the most delectable men she's ever met
Noun
a gourmet shop filled with delectables for every palate, albeit not for every pocketbook
Recent Examples on the Web
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2023
Cooking them in an air fryer results in a delectable char.
—Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping, 24 Feb. 2023
Simply rip your packet open, toss it in the pan with your veggie or protein of choice, and voilà—you’ve got a delectable spicy-sweet meal.
—Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 24 Feb. 2023
The great thing about Chicago is that no matter the time of year, there are always delectable things to eat across this fair city.
—Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2023
Pro tip: The one on the far right has delectable coconut shrimp.
—Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2023
The National Retail Federation reports that people will spend around $26 billion celebrating love on Valentine’s Day, and it’s estimated that 57% of people plan to purchase delectable treats.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2023
Don’t miss: The delectable French onion soup, which somehow also contains a brick of cheese.
—Christie Fitzpatrick, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2023
The underdog status of blue cheese may shock wing enthusiasts in certain parts of the country, where the delectable little poultry parts are rarely, if ever, offered with ranch dressing.
—Kerry J. Byrne, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2023
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022
Lou Dallas’s delectable–and very missed–sensibility is clear in the pieces.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2022
André Giroux used his fingers to manipulate the paint in the sky in delectable-on-all-counts Santa Trinità dei Monti in the Snow, from the late 1820s, a rarest-of-rare Roman snow scene.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 Mar. 2022
Hadid took to Instagram yesterday to share snapshots of delectable-looking bites she's indulged in while sheltering in place at her family's farm in Pennsylvania amid the coronavirus pandemic.
—Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Aug. 2020
The camp fantasies of Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters riding jet skis on a yacht is delectable, but the number lacks the pizazz of so many others.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 June 2020
Released earlier this week, the second cookbook from the Waco Wonder Woman is filled with delectable recipes for hits like Cajun shrimp sheet pan dinner, zucchini bread, oatmeal cream pies, and more.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2020
One delectable Stonehenge entrant is a marshmallow masterpiece submitted by Priya Bhatnagar of Belle Mead, New Jersey.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2020
Three courses available for $45 dinner menu with choice of salad, entree and delectable dessert, or select 2-course lunch for $29 featuring lunch portion of entrees.
—Alvaro Montano, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2020
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Adjective
The gummies are coated in a delectable combination of sweet and sour sugar crystals, which are sure to satisfy the taste buds of anyone who loves sour candy.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2023
Cooking them in an air fryer results in a delectable char.
—Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping, 24 Feb. 2023
Simply rip your packet open, toss it in the pan with your veggie or protein of choice, and voilà—you’ve got a delectable spicy-sweet meal.
—Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 24 Feb. 2023
The great thing about Chicago is that no matter the time of year, there are always delectable things to eat across this fair city.
—Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2023
Pro tip: The one on the far right has delectable coconut shrimp.
—Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2023
The National Retail Federation reports that people will spend around $26 billion celebrating love on Valentine’s Day, and it’s estimated that 57% of people plan to purchase delectable treats.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2023
Don’t miss: The delectable French onion soup, which somehow also contains a brick of cheese.
—Christie Fitzpatrick, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2023
The underdog status of blue cheese may shock wing enthusiasts in certain parts of the country, where the delectable little poultry parts are rarely, if ever, offered with ranch dressing.
—Kerry J. Byrne, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2023
Noun
This delectable, protein blend is composed of 80% Whey Protein Isolate and 20% Micellar Casein.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022
Lou Dallas’s delectable–and very missed–sensibility is clear in the pieces.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2022
André Giroux used his fingers to manipulate the paint in the sky in delectable-on-all-counts Santa Trinità dei Monti in the Snow, from the late 1820s, a rarest-of-rare Roman snow scene.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 Mar. 2022
Hadid took to Instagram yesterday to share snapshots of delectable-looking bites she's indulged in while sheltering in place at her family's farm in Pennsylvania amid the coronavirus pandemic.
—Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Aug. 2020
The camp fantasies of Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters riding jet skis on a yacht is delectable, but the number lacks the pizazz of so many others.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 June 2020
Released earlier this week, the second cookbook from the Waco Wonder Woman is filled with delectable recipes for hits like Cajun shrimp sheet pan dinner, zucchini bread, oatmeal cream pies, and more.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2020
One delectable Stonehenge entrant is a marshmallow masterpiece submitted by Priya Bhatnagar of Belle Mead, New Jersey.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2020
Three courses available for $45 dinner menu with choice of salad, entree and delectable dessert, or select 2-course lunch for $29 featuring lunch portion of entrees.
—Alvaro Montano, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2020
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'delectable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin delectabilis, from delectare to delight — more at delight
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1921, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of delectable was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near delectable
Cite this Entry
“Delectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delectable. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
delectable
adjective
de·lec·ta·ble
di-ˈlek-tə-bəl
1
: highly pleasing : delightful
2
delectably
adverb
-blē
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