delight
noun /dɪˈlaɪt/
/dɪˈlaɪt/
- [uncountable, singular] a feeling of great pleasure synonym joy
- a feeling of sheer/pure delight
- with delight The children squealed with delight when they saw the puppy.
- to the delight of somebody | to somebody's delight She won the game easily, to the delight of all her fans.
- delight in doing something He takes (great) delight in (= enjoys) proving others wrong.
- delight in something She took a simple delight in joys that we could all share.
- delight at something She couldn't hide her delight at the news.
- delight at doing something He expressed his delight at seeing us all again.
Synonyms pleasurepleasure- delight
- joy
- privilege
- treat
- honour
- pleasure a thing that makes you happy or satisfied:
- the pleasures and pains of everyday life
- It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
- delight a thing or person that brings you great pleasure:
- the delights of living in the country
- joy a thing or person that brings you great pleasure or happiness:
- the joys and sorrows of childhood
- privilege (rather formal) something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do:
- It was a great privilege to hear her sing.
- treat (informal) a thing that somebody enjoyed or is likely to enjoy very much:
- You’ve never been to this area before? Then you’re in for a real treat.
- honour (formal) something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect:
- It was a great honour to be invited here today.
- the pleasures/delights/joys of something
- It’s a great pleasure/joy to me that…
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat/honour to do something
- It’s a pleasure/delight/joy to see/find…
- a pleasure/delight/joy to behold/watch
- a real pleasure/delight/joy/privilege/treat
- a great pleasure/joy/privilege/honour
- a rare joy/privilege/treat/honour
Extra Examples- His mind was reeling with an almost aesthetic delight at the beauty of the thing.
- I find a perverse delight in listening to traffic.
- Much to the delight of the crowd, the band came back and did three encores.
- She gave a whoop of delight and dived into the water.
- She took evident delight in frightening the children with horror stories.
- The news was greeted with great delight.
- To my great delight, they offered me the job.
- We danced around with childish delight.
- Flowering trees provide shade as well as visual delight.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- absolute
- utter
- …
- express
- find
- take
- …
- in delight
- with delight
- of delight
- …
- a cry, gasp, squeal, etc. of delight
- much to somebody’s delight
- [countable] something that gives you great pleasure synonym joy
- This guitar is a delight to play.
- Sample the culinary delights of Morocco.
- delight of doing something the delights of living in the country
Extra Examples- He became deeply religious and turned away from earthly delights.
- The baby was a constant delight and source of amazement.
- The old lady's reminiscences were a continual delight to Constance.
- It was a delight to see him so fit and healthy.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- real
- constant
- unexpected
- …
- explore
- sample
- enjoy
- …
- delight to
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French delitier (verb), delit (noun), from Latin delectare ‘to charm’, frequentative of delicere. The -gh- was added in the 16th cent. by association with the verb light.