delicious

1 of 3

adjective

de·​li·​cious di-ˈli-shəs How to pronounce delicious (audio)
Synonyms of delicious
1
: appealing to one of the bodily senses especially of taste or smell
a delicious meal
delicious aromas
2
: affording great pleasure : delightful
a delicious bit of gossip
deliciously adverb
deliciousness noun

Delicious

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural Deliciouses or Delicious
: a sweet red or yellow eating apple of U.S. origin that has a crown of five rounded prominences on the end opposite the stem

deliciousness

3 of 3

noun (2)

de·​li·​cious·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being delicious : delight

Synonyms of delicious

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of delicious in a Sentence

Adjective This is the most delicious ice cream I have ever eaten. Delicious aromas were floating from the kitchen. a delicious bit of gossip
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
There are many other delicious places to dine in San Luis Obispo. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 The majority of ingredients in the food and beverage program at Wildflower are sourced directly from the property’s on-site farm, so every creative item on the menu is extremely fresh and delicious. — Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 How to Make Burger Patties A delicious homemade burger on the grill starts with a great patty. — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026 Rooms, at over 500 square feet, are among the largest in the city, with deep soaking tubs and delicious Pratesi linens on the beds. — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for delicious

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, "delightful to the senses, choice (of food, drink), loving luxury," borrowed from Anglo-French delicius, delicious (also continental Old French), borrowed from Late Latin dēliciōsus, from Latin dēlicia "pleasure, delight, (in plural) things affording pleasure, luxuries,culinary delicacies" (from dēlicere "to lure, entice" + -ia -ia entry 1) + -ōsus -ous — more at delight entry 2

Noun (2)

Middle English deliciousnesse, from delicious + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of delicious was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing delicious

Rhymes for delicious

See All Rhymes for delicious

Browse Nearby Words

Delichon
delicious
Delicious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delicious. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

delicious

1 of 2 adjective
de·​li·​cious di-ˈlish-əs How to pronounce delicious (audio)
: giving great pleasure : delightful
especially : very pleasing to the taste
deliciously adverb
deliciousness noun

Delicious

2 of 2 noun
De·​li·​cious
di-ˈlish-əs
plural Deliciouses or Delicious
: a sweet red or yellow apple of U.S. origin that has five bumps arranged around the end opposite the stem

More from Merriam-Webster on delicious

Nglish: Translation of delicious for Spanish Speakers

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