delicious

1 of 2

adjective

de·​li·​cious di-ˈli-shəs 

1

: affording great pleasure : delightful

a delicious bit of gossip

2

: appealing to one of the bodily senses especially of taste or smell

a delicious meal

delicious aromas

deliciously adverb

deliciousness noun

Delicious

2 of 2

noun

plural Deliciouses or Delicious

: a sweet red or yellow eating apple of U.S. origin that has a crown of five rounded prominences on the end opposite the stem

Synonyms

Adjective

• ambrosial
• appetizing
• dainty
• delectable
• delish
• flavorful
• flavorsome
• luscious
• lush
• mouthwatering
• palatable
• savory
• savoury
• scrumptious
• succulent
• tasteful
• tasty
• toothsome
• toothy
• yummy

Examples of delicious in a Sentence

Adjective

This is the most delicious ice cream I have ever eaten.

Delicious aromas were floating from the kitchen.

a delicious bit of gossip

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This recipe would be delicious served at brunch as easily as after supper. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 May 2025

Ambassadors Clubhouse Set on Mayfair’s Heddon Street, Ambassadors Clubhouse has a beautiful year-round terrace that serves up incredible Punjabi dishes and delicious cocktails. —Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Unlike indulging for a week on regular vacations, the cruise's generous food options – though often delicious – can be a bit overwhelming for some passengers after a few months. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 19 May 2025

The competition ended with a delicious buffet lunch attended by 500 people. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin deliciosus, from Latin deliciae delights, from delicere to allure

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing delicious

• Red Delicious

Rhymes for delicious

• adventitious
• cementitious
• expeditious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

Kids Definition

delicious

1 of 2 adjective

de·​li·​cious di-ˈlish-əs 

: giving great pleasure : delightful

especially : very pleasing to the taste

deliciously adverb

deliciousness noun

Delicious

2 of 2 noun

De·​li·​cious

di-ˈlish-əs

plural Deliciouses or Delicious

: a sweet red or yellow apple of U.S. origin that has five bumps arranged around the end opposite the stem