delicious

[dih-lish-uhs]

adjective

1. highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell.

   a delicious dinner;

   a delicious aroma.

   Synonyms: delicate, dainty, delectable, savory, palatable
   Antonyms: unpleasant

2. very pleasing; delightful.

   a delicious sense of humor.

noun

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

delicious

/ dɪˈlɪʃəs /

adjective

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

2. extremely enjoyable or entertaining

   a delicious joke

Other Word Forms

• deliciously adverb
• deliciousness noun
• hyperdelicious adjective
• hyperdeliciously adverb
• hyperdeliciousness noun
• overdelicious adjective
• overdeliciously adverb
• overdeliciousness noun
• undelicious adjective
• undeliciously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of delicious¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin dēliciōsus, equivalent to Latin dēliciae “delight” + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of delicious¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

They make their own biscuits, which are delicious.

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A range of wines go by the name Beaujolais, all delicious in their individual ways.

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It was delicious to read, so the great hope is that it would translate to screen.

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There’s Koreatown, where you can take your pick of delicious Korean BBQ joints, then go bowling at Shatto 39 Lanes, virtual golfing at W Screen Golf or sing your heart out at karaoke.

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Elegant and delicious, and persuasive for those afraid of eel.

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Related Words

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

When To Use

Spelling tips for delicious

The word delicious is hard to spell because it is spelled very differently from the way it is pronounced [ dih-lish-uhs ]. How to spell delicious: A deli is a place that sells sandwiches with Cheese, Iceberg lettuce, Onions, and Usually Salami (-CIOUS). This tasty sentence reminds you how to spell deli-cious.