delectable
Americanadjective
-
delightful; highly pleasing; enjoyable.
a delectable witticism.
- Synonyms:
- entertaining, amusing, agreeable, gratifying, pleasurable
- Antonyms:
- distasteful, disagreeable
-
delicious.
a delectable dinner.
- Antonyms:
- distasteful, disagreeable
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of delectable
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dēlectābilis delightful, equivalent to dēlectā ( re ) to delight (frequentative of dēlicere to entice) + -bilis -ble
Explanation
Something delectable is extremely delicious or appealing. Nothing tastes better at the end of a meal than an array of delectable desserts and pastries! Don't let the de- at the beginning of delectable fool you. There is nothing negative about this word. Related to delicious through the Latin word for delight, if something is delectable, it is very tasty! Maybe your mom has promised you a delectable dinner of lobster and steak for your birthday meal?
Vocabulary lists containing delectable
Things Fall Apart
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Prisoner B-3087
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The City of Ember
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Our critic raved that “Broadway has not seen a more delectable diversion this season.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
The result: I took an inexpensive yoga class at a beautiful studio, and I ate the most delectable pastry I’ve ever had.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
When we had a hankering for tofu, I mooched soybeans from an Illinois farmer friend, cooked them up and formed delectable tofu in a wooden box.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
Dessert was the sesame mochi xiao long bao, a delectable finish that didn’t disappoint.
From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025
It smelled like Babulya’s most delectable tinctures, when she took the most aromatic of her plants and stewed them into good magic.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
