delight

[ dih-lahyt ]

noun

1. a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture:

   She takes great delight in her job.

   Synonyms: delectation, transport

   Antonyms: distress

2. something that gives great pleasure:

   The dance was a delight to see.

   Antonyms: disappointment

verb (used with object)

1. to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to; please highly:

   The show delighted everyone.

   Synonyms: enrapture, charm

verb (used without object)

1. to have great pleasure; take pleasure (followed by in or an infinitive):

   She delights in going for long walks in the country.

delight

/ dɪˈlaɪt /

verb

1. tr to please greatly
2. intrfoll byin to take great pleasure (in)

noun

1. extreme pleasure or satisfaction; joy
2. something that causes this

   music was always his delight

Derived Forms

• deˈlighter, noun

Other Words From

• de·lighter noun
• de·lighting·ly adverb
• de·lightless adjective
• self-de·light noun
• unde·lighting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delight¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of delight¹

C13: from Old French delit, from deleitier to please, from Latin dēlectāre, from dēlicere to allure, from de- + lacere to entice; see delicious ; English spelling influenced by light

Synonym Study

See pleasure.

Example Sentences

The force said both women had watched the videos, expressed delight at the images and regularly shared material.

From BBC

After playing several clips highlighting what pundits believe went wrong for the Democrats, Stewart said, "It's a delight to hear why it happened from so many people who were wrong about what was going to happen."

From Salon

But not everyone sees the expansion of self-driving cars as a heavenly delight.

From Los Angeles Times

Opera’s “Romeo and Juliet” is exhilarating and Pacific Opera Project’s super-rare production of “Don Bucefalo” proves a nutty delight.

From Los Angeles Times

Opera’s “Romeo and Juliet” is exhilarating and Pacific Opera Project’s super-rare production of “Don Bucefalo” proves a nutty delight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contentment
• glee
• joy
• pleasure
• satisfaction