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

Both comic and series have suffered a similar fate — being buried in a landslide of Too Much Stuff — and both are clever little delights that deserve to be remembered. —Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024

Jones provides a rubbery synth line, while Michael breaths heavily, squeaks, squeals and hiccups to soul’s delight. —A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Ahead, here are 18 exterior paint color ideas that are sure to delight and dazzle along with answers to frequently asked questions. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024

The Sunny City Jigsaw Puzzle (1000-Piece) Amazon 5 Magic Puzzle Company The Sunny City Jigsaw Puzzle (1000-Piece) $23 Amazon $23 Target The cozy-cute settings in Magic Puzzle Company’s designs are frankly adorable, and sure to delight the jigsaw fan in your life. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 5 Nov. 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