delicious

[dih-lish-uhs]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR delicious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell: a delicious dinner; a delicious aroma.

very pleasing; delightful: a delicious sense of humor.

noun

(initial capital letter) a red or yellow variety of apple, cultivated in the U.S.

Origin of delicious

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēliciōsus, equivalent to Latin dēliciae delight + -ōsus -ous

Related formsde·li·cious·ly, adverbde·li·cious·ness, nounhy·per·de·li·cious, adjectivehy·per·de·li·cious·ly, adverbhy·per·de·li·cious·ness, nouno·ver·de·li·cious, adjectiveo·ver·de·li·cious·ly, adverbo·ver·de·li·cious·ness, nounun·de·li·cious, adjectiveun·de·li·cious·ly, adverb

Synonyms for delicious

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR delicious ON THESAURUS.COM

1. palatable, savory, delectable, dainty, delicate.

Synonym study

1. Delicious, luscious refer to that which is especially agreeable to the senses. That which is delicious is highly agreeable to the taste or sometimes to the smell: a delicious meal. Luscious implies such a luxuriant fullness or ripeness as to make an object rich: a luscious banana; a luscious beauty; luscious music.

Antonyms for delicious

1. unpleasant.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for delicious

enjoyable, yummy, tempting, enticing, delectable, pleasant, heavenly, delightful, luscious, tasty, rich, appetizing, savory, distinctive, piquant, exquisite, spicy, sweet, good, lush

Examples from the Web for delicious

Contemporary Examples of delicious

I will turn my nose up when you offer me the rest of some delicious pastry that you nibbled on.
Why My Norovirus Panic Makes Me Sick
Lizzie Crocker
January 5, 2015
Kevin: This is actually a delicious opportunity for Aniston.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Got Married and We’re Worried About Jennifer Aniston
Kevin Fallon, Tim Teeman
August 28, 2014
Many blended scotches are just as delicious and take even more artistry to make.
Don't Be a Single-Malt Scotch Snob
Kayleigh Kulp
August 9, 2014
We prefer the low key spots, where the eating is as cheap as it is delicious.
The Best Food In Miami Is On Calle Ocho in Little Havana
Starbucks
July 10, 2014
This stuff is all fresh and delicious, and they serve a pretty excellent ropa vieja too.
The Best Food In Miami Is On Calle Ocho in Little Havana
Starbucks
July 10, 2014

Historical Examples of delicious

These are very real, nourishing and delicious foods that are being offered you.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
No doubt she could evolve a delicious gum from the mesquite and the incense plant.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
It was such a wonderful day; it was such an unusual and delicious feast.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
What was the matter with her that she was less gay, and that she was so overcome by this delicious pang?
The Dream
Emile Zola
She looked once more, just as he was turning his head; and so the minutes passed, and it was delicious.
The Dream
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for delicious

delicious

adjective

very appealing to the senses, esp to the taste or smell

extremely enjoyable or entertaininga delicious joke

Derived Formsdeliciously, adverbdeliciousness, noun

Word Origin for delicious

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dēliciōsus, from Latin dēliciae delights, charms, from dēlicere to entice; see delight

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for delicious

adj.

c.1300 (implied in deliciously), from Old French delicios (Modern French délicieux), from Late Latin deliciosus "delicious, delicate," from Latin delicia (plural deliciae) "a delight, allurement, charm," from delicere "to allure, entice," from de- "away" (see de-) + lacere "lure, deceive" (related to laqueus "noose, snare;" see lace). As a name of a type of apple, attested from 1903, first grown by Jesse Hiatt of Iowa, U.S.A. Colloquial shortening delish is attested from 1920.