delight

1 of 2

noun

de·​light di-ˈlīt 

dē-

1

: a high degree of gratification or pleasure : joy

children squealing in delight

also : extreme satisfaction

seems to take delight in the misfortunes of others

2

: something that gives great pleasure

her performance was a delight

3

archaic : the power of affording pleasure

of more delight than hawks or horses be

—Shakespeare

delight

2 of 2

verb

delighted; delighting; delights

intransitive verb

1

: to take great pleasure

delighted in playing the guitar

2

: to give keen enjoyment

a book certain to delight

transitive verb

: to give joy or satisfaction to

Her books delight readers of all ages.

delighter noun

Synonyms

Noun

• delectation
• feast
• gas [slang]
• joy
• kick
• manna
• pleasure
• treat

Verb

• crow
• exuberate
• exult
• glory
• joy
• jubilate
• kvell
• rejoice
• triumph

Examples of delight in a Sentence

Noun

We watched the fireworks with delight.

The kids screamed in delight as they chased one another around the park.

To the delight of the children, there were enough cookies for everyone to have two.

Some people seem to take great delight in hearing about the misfortunes of others.

The trip was a delight.

a garden full of tasty delights

The magazine is a cook's delight.

The stories are a delight to read.

Verb

The toy delighted the children.

The stories will delight readers of all ages.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Surprise guests for 2024 included Post Malone and Turnpike Troubadours, much to fans' delight. —Sarah Michaud, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Applying the moisturizer was a delight—not too heavy or light with a pleasing, cooling sensation. —Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English deliten, from Anglo-French deliter, from Latin delectare, frequentative of delicere to allure, from de- + lacere to allure

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing delight

• delight in
• take delight in
• to someone's delight
• Turkish delight

Kids Definition

delight

1 of 2 noun

de·​light di-ˈlīt 

1

: extreme pleasure or satisfaction : joy

2

: something that gives great pleasure

delight

2 of 2 verb

1

: to take great pleasure

delighted in playing guitar

2

: to give joy or satisfaction to : please greatly

a book sure to delight