delight

[dih-lahyt]

noun

1. a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture.

   She takes great delight in her job.

   Synonyms: delectation, transport
   Antonyms: distress

2. something that gives great pleasure.

   The dance was a delight to see.

   Antonyms: disappointment

verb (used with object)

1. to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to; please highly.

   The show delighted everyone.

   Synonyms: enrapture, charm

verb (used without object)

1. to have great pleasure; take pleasure (followed by in or an infinitive).

   She delights in going for long walks in the country.

delight

/ dɪˈlaɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to please greatly

2. to take great pleasure (in)

noun

1. extreme pleasure or satisfaction; joy

2. something that causes this

   music was always his delight

Other Word Forms

• delighter noun
• delightingly adverb
• delightless adjective
• self-delight noun
• undelighting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delight¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; (verb) respelling, after light ¹, of earlier delite, Middle English deliten, from Anglo-French deliter, Old French delitier, from Latin delectāre ( delectable ); (noun) respelling (as above) of Middle English delit, from Anglo-French, Old French, derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of delight¹

C13: from Old French delit, from deleitier to please, from Latin dēlectāre, from dēlicere to allure, from _de- + lacere to entice; see _delicious ; English spelling influenced by light

Synonym Study

See pleasure.

Example Sentences

"We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends," Albanese said in a brief statement.

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She said the opportunity to see Santa one last time before he moves into his "forever home" will delight him and allow him "to make precious memories" with his two brothers.

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And the Four Seasons in Riyadh has opened a tonic bar — but with no booze — that asks you to “delight in a symphony of handcrafted cocktails meticulously prepared to elevate your senses.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The question carries a quiet kind of rebellion I especially savor this time of year: why cling to a tradition that no longer delights?

Read more on Salon

Labour MPs in the Commons were noisily delighted as the plan was set out – so many have been campaigning vociferously for this ever since the general election.

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Related Words

• amuse 
• attract 
• charm 
• cheer 
• enchant 
• enrapture 
• entertain 
• fascinate 
• gratify 
• please 
• rejoice 
• satisfy 
• thrill 
• wow