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

“But I’ve come to realize now that people are just delighted when they hear my name, so how can I complain?”

From New York Times

After working in the NHS for the best part of a decade in a non-patient facing role, she was delighted to be on the wards supporting doctors and the wider healthcare teams.

From BBC

He spoke of his surprise - and delight - when the players arrived at his home to celebrate after clinching top-flight promotion, describing it as "probably the best present I got last season".

From BBC

Adams has been surprised by the reaction to “Bird” and delighted by the red carpets at film festivals such as Cannes and Toronto, where she met Jacob Elordi.

From Los Angeles Times

The cast delighted fans for several weeks as they took to the streets of Barry, as well as appearing on the seafront at Barry Island to film the upcoming special.

From BBC

Related Words

• contentment
• glee
• joy
• pleasure
• satisfaction