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.

Related Words

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