Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

delicious

[dih-lish-uhs]
See more synonyms for delicious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell: a delicious dinner; a delicious aroma.
  2. very pleasing; delightful: a delicious sense of humor.
Show More
noun
  1. (initial capital letter) a red or yellow variety of apple, cultivated in the U.S.
Show More

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 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. 2018

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

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

  • She looked once more, just as he was turning his head; and so the minutes passed, and it was delicious.

    The Dream

    Emile Zola

  • 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

British Dictionary definitions for delicious

delicious

adjective
  1. very appealing to the senses, esp to the taste or smell
  2. extremely enjoyable or entertaininga delicious joke
Show More
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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper