delight
Americannoun
-
a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture.
She takes great delight in her job.
- Synonyms:
- delectation, transport
- Antonyms:
- distress
-
something that gives great pleasure.
The dance was a delight to see.
- Antonyms:
- disappointment
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to please greatly
-
to take great pleasure (in)
noun
-
extreme pleasure or satisfaction; joy
-
something that causes this
music was always his delight
Related Words
See pleasure.
Other Word Forms
- delighter noun
- delightingly adverb
- delightless adjective
- self-delight noun
- undelighting adjective
Etymology
Origin of delight
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
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.
Red carpets always hold surprises - and we were delighted to spot none other than Paddington Bear.
From BBC
Jack Levey, the smallest player on the court, responds to the delight of the fanatics.
From Los Angeles Times
The US Traitors host and actor was clearly delighted to show his sartorial style on the red carpet.
From BBC
Unwin said she was "delighted" to come second place with her team's depiction of five athletes bursting through the Olympic Rings.
From BBC
And at a time where minimalism has become one of fashion's biggest trends, Tolu Coker and Annie's shows will have delighted those who prefer their clothes to make more of a statement.
From BBC
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.
