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Definition of delight noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

delight

noun
 
/dɪˈlaɪt/
 
/dɪˈlaɪt/
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  1. [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 pleasurepleasuredelight joy privilege treat honourThese are all words for things that make you happy or that you enjoy.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
    pleasure, delight or joy?A delight or joy is greater than a pleasure; a person, especially a child, can be a delight or joy, but not a pleasure; joys are often contrasted with sorrows, but delights are not.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.
    Patterns
    • 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
    verb + delight
    • express
    • find
    • take
    preposition
    • in delight
    • with delight
    • of delight
    phrases
    • a cry, gasp, squeal, etc. of delight
    • much to somebody’s delight
    See full entry
  2. [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
    see also Turkish delight
    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
    verb + delight
    • explore
    • sample
    • enjoy
    preposition
    • delight to
    See full entry
  3. 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.
See delight in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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