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Meaning & use

delicious

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/dɪˈlɪʃ.əs/
US/dɪˈlɪʃ.əs/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Tasting or smelling extremely good, so that eating or drinking it is a real pleasure.

    Grammar: Used before a noun (a delicious meal) or after a verb (the soup smells delicious); stronger than just good.

    Patterns

    • smell delicious
    • taste delicious
    • look delicious

    The kitchen smelled of delicious fresh bread.

    This lemon cake is absolutely delicious.

    Thank you for a delicious dinner.

  2. adjectivecomparablefigurativeliterary

    Giving great enjoyment or amusement, especially in a slightly naughty or secretive way.

    Grammar: Usually appears before a noun such as irony, gossip or sense of mischief.

    Patterns

    • a delicious irony
    • a delicious sense of something

    There was a delicious irony in the thief being locked out of his own house.

    She felt a delicious thrill as the lights went down.

    He told the juiciest, most delicious piece of gossip.

Word forms

comparativemore delicious
superlativemost delicious

Common combinations

smell delicious
Something in the oven smells delicious.
look delicious
The pastries in the window look delicious.
absolutely delicious
The curry was absolutely delicious.
a delicious meal
We sat down to a delicious meal of roast chicken.
a delicious irony
It was a delicious irony that the critic's own book flopped.

Synonyms and how they differ

tasty
Tasty is plainer and more casual, and suggests good flavor without the strong praise of delicious.
scrumptious
Scrumptious is more playful and informal, often used by or about children and treats.
mouthwatering
Mouthwatering stresses the desire you feel before eating, so it fits food you can see or smell.
appetizing
Appetizing means that it makes you want to eat, but it is milder and does not promise the taste is superb.

Opposites

disgustingtasteless

Word family

deliciously adverb
in a delightfully tasty or pleasurable way
deliciousness noun
the quality of tasting very good
delight noun
great pleasure
delicacy noun
a rare or special food

Commonly confused: delicious or delicate?

delicious vs delicate

Delicate means fragile or fine, as in a delicate flower, and has nothing to do with taste, although a flavor can be delicate meaning subtle.

Practice

The whole house smelled ____ while the apple pie was baking.

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