delighted
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delighted
Explanation
You can use the adjective delighted to describe being really pleased or happy with something. Maybe you would be "stoked" about getting backstage passes to a concert, while someone getting backstage passes to the symphony would be delighted. Delighted might be a slightly old-fashioned way to show excitement or enthusiasm, or maybe it's a more refined way to express how you feel. Saying, "Oh, I'm so delighted you decided to come!" was once a common way to show how happy you were to see a friend. More contemporary uses might be sarcastic, like when you hand your mom an armload of stinky gym clothes without a "Please" and she says "I'll be delighted to wash these for you!"
Vocabulary lists containing delighted
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Hooked on a Feeling, List 1
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Smiley Face: Synonyms for "Happy"
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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.
Delighted to receive a dictionary of slang as a gift, he explored its application to his own interests.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
"Great play from Matheus and Bryan to set it up. Delighted for Ben again, coming on and making the difference."
From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026
Delighted with his new tattoo, Cai started taking photos to show to his friends and family.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2025
Delighted, Nwodim teased, “We gonna get fined for that! Lorne gonna be mad at y’all!”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2025
Delighted to see him honored, Elizebeth attended the dedication ceremony.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
