delightful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delightful
Explanation
Anything delightful causes pleasure or joy. For most people, watching a puppy play is delightful. Delight is a strong positive emotion. We feel delight when something entertains or pleases us very much. Such things can be called delightful. After weeks of cold weather, a sunny day is delightful. Making a new friend is delightful. Going to see an exciting or hilarious movie is delightful. A good cup of coffee can be delightful. This word can apply to almost anything you enjoy a lot. People who find lots of things delightful are generally pretty happy.
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.
Delightful characters and dialogue contribute to the appeal of Mr. Osman’s oeuvre.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
Ellen Brown's 1989 Washington Post article on deglazing is called "It's Delightful, It's De Lovely, It's Deglazing" and I couldn't agree with her more.
From Salon • Mar. 5, 2024
"Delightful, occasionally quite moving and always exquisitely crafted, this is a modest charmer about trying to make sense of the world either through art or other pursuits."
From BBC • May 24, 2023
Delightful as this climactic opening is, the real triumph of Hadley’s novel stems from her judicious portrayal of what happens next when Phyllis realizes she must act on these newfound feelings.
From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2022
“Good afternoon, young lady. Delightful weather we’re having for February, wouldn’t you say?”
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
