delight
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a feeling of very high happiness or satisfaction.
n.a high degree of gratification or pleasure; joy. Often uncountable when referring to the emotion itself.
Simple“The children screamed with delight when they saw the snow falling.”
In context“To the delight of the local residents, the council finally approved the plans for a new community park and library.”
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something that gives you great pleasure or joy.
n.a person or thing that provides a source of great pleasure. Countable in this sense.
Simple“The small garden was a delight to visit in the middle of summer.”
In context“The local bakery is a hidden delight, offering traditional pastries that have remained unchanged for three generations.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to give someone great pleasure or to make them very happy.
v.to affect with great pleasure or to gratify highly. Transitive use.
Simple“The magician's clever tricks delighted the audience of all ages.”
In context“The chef's innovative approach to traditional Mediterranean cuisine delighted even the most demanding food critics.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to get a lot of pleasure from doing something.
v.to derive great pleasure or satisfaction from an activity. Intransitive; almost always takes the preposition 'in'.
Simple“He delights in telling stories about his travels around the world.”
In context“The novelist seemed to delight in creating complex characters whose motives remained a mystery until the final chapter.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'in' and a gerund or noun phrase.
“Wrexham’s Kieffer Moore roars in delight after giving his side an early lead at Cardiff.”
“What happens in the end will astonish and delight all readers – though it doesn’t faze the boy who always believed.”