delightful
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for delightful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Very pleasing; causing enjoyment or satisfaction.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use delightful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
delightful surprise
delightful evening
absolutely delightful
Etymology
From Middle English deliteful, delitfull, equivalent to delight + -ful.
Full origin of delightful →Frequently asked questions
What does “delightful” mean?
The word “delightful” means very pleasing; causing enjoyment or satisfaction. In plain terms, charming or pleasant in a way that brings genuine enjoyment.
How do you pronounce “delightful”?
“Delightful” is pronounced duh-LYT-fl (/dəˈlaɪt.fl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “delightful” in a sentence?
Here is “delightful” used in a sentence: “We had a delightful evening at the restaurant.”
What part of speech is “delightful”?
“Delightful” is an adjective.
Is “delightful” a common word?
“Delightful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between delightful and pleasant?
Delightful describes something that is very pleasing and causes genuine enjoyment or satisfaction, while pleasant is a milder word describing something simply agreeable or nice. Delightful carries more warmth and enthusiasm than pleasant.
Is delightful a formal or informal word?
Delightful sits comfortably in both formal and informal English, often used in polite conversation, reviews, and writing to express genuine enjoyment without sounding overly casual.
What kinds of things are typically described as delightful?
Delightful is commonly used to describe people, experiences, food, weather, and surprises that bring pleasure or satisfaction, such as 'a delightful evening' or 'a delightful surprise.'
