Meaning & use
delighted
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Very happy and pleased about something that has happened or is going to happen.
Grammar: Usually follows a linking verb and takes to plus a verb, or with/by plus a noun: delighted to help, delighted with the result.
Patterns
- delighted to do something
- delighted with something
- delighted by something
- delighted that something is true
Mara was delighted to hear that her sister had passed the exam.
We are delighted with the new kitchen; it is brighter than we hoped.
The coach said he was delighted that the whole squad stayed healthy all season.
adjectivebefore a noun
Showing great pleasure in a look, sound or reaction.
Grammar: Comes right before the noun it describes: a delighted shout, delighted faces.
Patterns
- a delighted cry
- a delighted smile
The toddler let out a delighted squeal when the bubbles floated past.
A delighted murmur ran through the audience as the curtain rose.
He gave a delighted laugh and hugged the surprise guests.
Word forms
| comparative | more delighted |
|---|---|
| superlative | most delighted |
Common combinations
- absolutely delighted
- The owners were absolutely delighted with the repairs.
- delighted to meet you
- I am delighted to meet you after reading so much of your work.
- delighted to announce
- We are delighted to announce the birth of our daughter.
- genuinely delighted
- She seemed genuinely delighted by the small gift.
- delighted with the result
- The students were delighted with the result of the vote.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thrilled
- Thrilled suggests a more excited, energetic reaction, whereas delighted can be calm and warm.
- pleased
- Pleased is milder and more everyday, so it sounds understated next to delighted.
- overjoyed
- Overjoyed is stronger and usually describes intense happiness at big news, so it would sound odd for a small favor.
- glad
- Glad is simple and relaxed, often used for relief or agreement, while delighted shows obvious enthusiasm.
Opposites
Word family
- delight noun
- great pleasure, or something that gives it
- delight verb
- to give someone great pleasure
- delightful adjective
- very pleasant, charming
- delightfully adverb
- in a charming or very pleasing way
Commonly confused: delighted or delightful?
delighted vs delightful
Delighted describes the person who feels pleasure; delightful describes the thing that causes it. You are delighted by a delightful surprise.
Practice
Which sentence uses the word correctly?
Choose one answer.
Delighted describes a person's feeling and is followed by to plus a verb. A garden cannot feel it, and delighted is not used with of.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “delighted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.