delectable

1 of 2

adjective

de·​lec·​ta·​ble di-ˈlek-tə-bəl How to pronounce delectable (audio)
1
: highly pleasing : delightful
a delectable melody
2
: delicious
a delectable meal
delectability noun
delectably adverb

delectable

2 of 2

noun

: something that is highly pleasing or delicious
especially : a delicious food item
pastries and other delectables

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
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
-blē
adverb

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