delicious
dih-LIH-shuhs
Delicious (adjective) means Very pleasing to the taste; tasty. Example: “This soup is absolutely delicious.”
adjective
1
Very pleasing to the taste; tasty.
"But the houses are so delicious and the way they're townscaped on to hilly bits is absolutely wonderful."
— Patrick Lichfield, Courvoisier's Book of the Best (1986)
"This soup is absolutely delicious."
"They served a delicious three-course meal at the wedding."
"The bakery sells delicious warm bread every morning."
How to use delicious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTastes great, or is otherwise very pleasing.
Common pairings
absolutely delicious
delicious meal
smells delicious
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more delicious
- Superlative
- most delicious
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This soup is absolutely _____.
Etymology
From Old French delicieux, from Late Latin deliciosus, "delightful" — from the same root as "delight" and "delicacy."
Synonyms
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scrumptious
ambrosial
appetizing
dainty
delectable
delish
exquisite
finger-lickin' good
flavorful
flavorous
flavorsome
gustful
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for delicious
See all rhymes for delicious →Frequently asked questions
What does “delicious” mean?
The word “delicious” means very pleasing to the taste; tasty. In plain terms, tastes great, or is otherwise very pleasing.
How do you pronounce “delicious”?
“Delicious” is pronounced dih-LIH-shuhs (/dɪˈlɪ.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “delicious” in a sentence?
Here is “delicious” used in a sentence: “This soup is absolutely delicious.”
What is another word for “delicious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “delicious” include ambrosial, appetizing, dainty, delectable, delish and exquisite.
What is the opposite of “delicious”?
The opposite of “delicious” — its antonyms — are disgusting, distasteful, nontasty, undelicious and unpalatable.
What part of speech is “delicious”?
“Delicious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “delicious” come from?
The word “delicious” comes from Late Latin. From Old French delicieux, from Late Latin deliciosus, "delightful" — from the same root as "delight" and "delicacy.".
Is “delicious” a common word?
“Delicious” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between delicious and delectable?
Both words describe food that is very pleasing to the taste. 'Delicious' is the everyday, all-purpose choice, while 'delectable' sounds slightly more formal or literary and is often used to add a touch of richness or indulgence.
What is the difference between delicious and tasty?
'Tasty' means having a pleasant, enjoyable flavour, while 'delicious' is stronger and suggests food that is extremely pleasing to the taste. Something delicious is more emphatically enjoyable than something merely tasty.
Can delicious describe things other than food?
Its core meaning is very pleasing to the taste, so it most naturally describes food and drink. However, it is often extended to pleasant smells and, figuratively, to enjoyable experiences, as in 'a delicious sense of relief'.
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