delectable

[ dih-lek-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. delightful; highly pleasing; enjoyable:

   a delectable witticism.

   Synonyms: entertaining, amusing, agreeable, gratifying, pleasurable

   Antonyms: distasteful, disagreeable

2. delicious:

   a delectable dinner.

   Antonyms: distasteful, disagreeable

noun

1. an especially appealing or appetizing food or dish:

   a buffet table spread with delectables.

delectable

/ dɪˈlɛktəbəl /

adjective

1. highly enjoyable, esp pleasing to the taste; delightful

Derived Forms

• deˈlectably, adverb
• deˈlectableness, noun

Other Words From

• de·lecta·ble·ness de·lecta·bili·ty noun
• de·lecta·bly adverb
• unde·lecta·ble adjective
• unde·lecta·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of delectable¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dēlectābilis delightful, equivalent to dēlectā ( re ) to delight (frequentative of dēlicere to entice) + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of delectable¹

C14: from Latin dēlectābilis, from dēlectāre to delight

Example Sentences

And, of course, he experiments on himself, with intellectually delectable results.

From Washington Post

With a little equipment and some patience, even people innocent of good pie crust can produce something delectable.

From Washington Post

Silpat From a dough-prep work surface marked with size guides to multipurpose pan liners, this colorful variety bundle helps produce cookies to tarts delectable accuracy.

From Popular-Science

If trade restrictions are relaxed once again, we might be able to relish Iran’s most delectable commodities.

From Ozy

In pre-colonial Hawai’i, for instance, it was taboo for anyone but chiefs to eat a delectable silver fish called moi, or Pacific threadfin.

From Nautilus

The sundae is meant to be a delectable marriage of textures: squishy and crunchy.

From The Daily Beast

Norway served a delectable North Atlantic halibut confit with smoked purée celeriac, sunchoke, and cured game meat.

From The Daily Beast

The checkout line snaked around a delectable assortment of snacks and candy.

From The Daily Beast

Options like chicken tomato pastina and harvest squash turkey and beef sound pretty delectable, too.

From The Daily Beast

That's precisely why he's the most delectable Republican candidate—and I don't aim to hurt him by writing that.

From The Daily Beast

As is usual in these episodes, he invites them to join him in the use of the most delectable oaths that he can lay before them.

From Project Gutenberg

Never will an earthly oak tree have afforded you a more delectable shelter under its leafy branches.

From Project Gutenberg

We have never had a hare roasted on the premises during all the years we have lived in that delectable place.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact we could not picture to ourselves anything more delectable.

From Project Gutenberg

Once more we found ourselves in the far-from-delectable town of Cape François.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appetizing
• delicate
• delightful
• enticing
• exquisite
• heavenly
• luscious
• palatable
• satisfying
• savory
• tasty
• yummy