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

Derived Forms

• deˈliciously, adverb
• deˈliciousness, noun

Other Words From

• de·licious·ly adverb
• de·licious·ness noun
• hyper·de·licious adjective
• hyper·de·licious·ly adverb
• hyper·de·licious·ness noun
• over·de·licious adjective
• over·de·licious·ly adverb
• over·de·licious·ness noun
• unde·licious adjective
• unde·licious·ly 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

Tree varieties include Eureka lemon, pink guava, Golden Delicious apple, coast live oak, olive, crape myrtle, California sycamore, desert willow and torrey pines.

From Los Angeles Times

Delicious in Dungeon was initially released as a comic book in 2014, before being adapted for TV by Japanese animation studio Trigger.

From Salon

“With everything going on in the world today, now more than ever, we urge everyone to Enjoy Your Delicious Moments!”

From Los Angeles Times

At the restaurant, waiters announce the arrival of a dish in the inflected style of traditional Peking Opera, declaring, “Delicious fish is coming!”

From New York Times

“Delicious,” Rio answered, contorting his body so no gravy dripped on his shirt.

From Literature

Related Words

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