Explanation at your level:
Delicious is a word you use for food. If you eat an apple and it tastes very good, you say, 'This apple is delicious!' It is a happy word for yummy food. You can use it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. When you see a cake you like, you can say, 'That looks delicious!' It is a very useful word to know when you talk about eating.
When you are at a restaurant and you really like your meal, you can tell the waiter, 'The food is delicious.' It is a stronger word than 'good.' You can use it for drinks too, like a delicious cup of coffee or a delicious juice. People use this word to show they are very happy with what they are eating or drinking.
In intermediate English, 'delicious' is the standard adjective for high-quality food. It is often paired with adverbs to add emphasis, such as 'absolutely delicious' or 'simply delicious.' You might hear it used to describe a smell as well, for example, 'The kitchen smells delicious.' It is a polite and positive way to compliment a host after a home-cooked meal.
At this level, you can use 'delicious' to describe more than just the taste. It can be used figuratively to describe something that is highly enjoyable or delightful, such as 'a delicious piece of gossip' or 'a delicious irony.' However, note that these uses are more stylistic and depend on the context. In culinary contexts, it remains the primary choice for expressing satisfaction.
Advanced users understand the nuance of 'delicious' as a sensory descriptor. It is often used in descriptive writing to evoke a strong response from the reader. You might find it in food journalism or literary reviews where the author wants to convey the complexity of a flavor profile. While it is a common word, its power lies in its ability to bridge the gap between simple taste and deep, emotional satisfaction.
At the mastery level, 'delicious' is recognized for its etymological roots in 'delight.' While modern usage is firmly anchored in gastronomy, the word retains a sense of luxury and indulgence. In high-register writing, it can be used to describe an experience that is 'deliciously wicked' or 'deliciously complex,' highlighting the interplay between pleasure and intellect. Understanding its history helps in using it effectively in creative writing.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Delicious means having a very pleasant taste.
- It is used primarily for food and drink.
- It is an adjective, not an adverb.
- It can be used figuratively for experiences.
When you eat something delicious, you are experiencing a moment of pure joy for your taste buds. It is the go-to word for expressing that a meal is not just good, but truly exceptional.
You will hear this word used everywhere, from fancy restaurants to a simple snack at home. Because it focuses on the sensory experience, it implies a high level of satisfaction. Whether it is a perfectly baked cake or a savory bowl of soup, if it makes you smile while you chew, it is definitely delicious.
The word delicious has a fancy history that dates back to the Middle English period. It comes from the Old French word delicieus, which itself traces back to the Latin deliciosus.
The root of the word is deliciae, meaning 'delight' or 'pleasure.' Originally, it was used to describe anything that provided great pleasure, not just food. Over the centuries, the meaning narrowed to specifically focus on the pleasure we get from eating and drinking. It is a classic example of how language evolves to become more specialized over time.
While 'delicious' itself isn't the core of many idioms, it appears in phrases describing food experiences. 1. Finger-licking good: Used to describe food so delicious you want to lick your fingers. 2. Mouth-watering: Describing food that looks so delicious it makes you salivate. 3. A feast for the senses: A meal that is delicious to look at, smell, and taste. 4. Eat like a king: To enjoy a delicious, high-quality meal. 5. Food for the gods: An expression for food that is exceptionally delicious.
Pronounced dih-LISH-uhs, the stress falls on the second syllable. It is a standard adjective, meaning it does not have a plural form and is not used with articles unless modifying a singular noun.
It follows standard patterns: 'The food is delicious' (predicate) or 'A delicious cake' (attributive). It rhymes with words like vicious or suspicious, though the meaning is entirely different! Always ensure you place the emphasis on the 'LISH' sound to sound like a native speaker.
Fun Fact
It used to refer to any kind of pleasure, not just food!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'sh' sound, 'us' at the end.
Similar to UK, slightly more 'r' coloring in some dialects.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'sh' sound
- Putting stress on the wrong syllable
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
A delicious cake.
Linking verbs
The food tastes delicious.
Adverb usage
Deliciously sweet.
Examples by Level
The cake is delicious.
The cake is yummy.
Subject + verb + adjective.
This apple is delicious.
This fruit tastes good.
Demonstrative pronoun.
I like this delicious food.
I enjoy this tasty food.
Adjective + noun.
Is the soup delicious?
Does the soup taste good?
Question structure.
That looks delicious.
That seems tasty.
Linking verb.
My mom makes delicious pizza.
Mom cooks great pizza.
Possessive adjective.
It is a delicious lunch.
A tasty lunch.
Indefinite article.
Everything is delicious here.
All food is good.
Indefinite pronoun.
The dinner you cooked was delicious.
We had a delicious meal at the hotel.
She baked a delicious chocolate cake.
The aroma of the bread is delicious.
Do you want to try this delicious drink?
He thinks Italian food is delicious.
It was a delicious surprise.
The fruit salad is very delicious.
The restaurant is famous for its delicious seafood.
I had a delicious time catching up with friends.
The smell of roasting coffee is simply delicious.
She prepared a delicious feast for the guests.
It is hard to find such delicious authentic food.
The wine pairing made the meal even more delicious.
We enjoyed a delicious picnic in the park.
His cooking is always delicious.
The dessert was absolutely delicious, a perfect end to the meal.
There is a delicious irony in the situation.
The chef created a delicious blend of spices.
She gave a delicious description of the holiday.
The atmosphere in the cafe was delicious.
He had a delicious sense of humor.
The sauce was rich and truly delicious.
We savored every delicious bite.
The novel is a delicious satire of modern society.
She offered a delicious critique of the project.
The play was a delicious mix of comedy and tragedy.
He found the secret to be a delicious mystery.
The performance was a delicious display of talent.
The wine had a delicious complexity to it.
Her wit is as delicious as her cooking.
The plan was deliciously devious.
The evening was a delicious indulgence of fine art and food.
He savored the delicious prospect of his upcoming vacation.
The subtle, delicious nuances of the dish were remarkable.
It was a delicious moment of triumph.
The book is a delicious treat for history lovers.
She spoke with a delicious, dry sarcasm.
The contrast in flavors was quite delicious.
A delicious sense of anticipation filled the room.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"finger-licking good"
Very tasty.
The fried chicken was finger-licking good.
casual"mouth-watering"
Looks so good it makes you hungry.
The menu had mouth-watering options.
neutral"eat like a horse"
To eat a lot.
He eats like a horse but stays thin.
casual"food for thought"
Something to think about.
That lecture gave me food for thought.
neutral"dig in"
Start eating.
The food is ready, dig in!
casual"a feast for the eyes"
Something beautiful to look at.
The garden was a feast for the eyes.
neutralEasily Confused
Both start with 'de' and imply pleasure.
Delightful is for experiences/people; delicious is for food.
The party was delightful; the food was delicious.
Both mean good flavor.
Tasty is more casual and general.
That was a tasty snack.
Both relate to food.
Savory is about salty/spicy, not sweet.
This soup is savory.
It is the adverb form.
Use it to modify verbs, not nouns.
It was deliciously prepared.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + delicious
The pie is delicious.
A + delicious + noun
I ate a delicious apple.
Subject + smells + delicious
The kitchen smells delicious.
Subject + found + it + delicious
He found the meal delicious.
Subject + felt + a + delicious + noun
She felt a delicious sense of relief.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Delicious is an adjective, not an adverb.
Strictly speaking, delicious is a strong adjective, so 'absolutely' is better than 'very'.
Delicious is for food/smell, not weather.
You cannot describe a person as delicious.
Adverbs modify verbs, not nouns.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a chef saying 'Delicious' every time he tastes his soup.
When Native Speakers Use It
Often used to compliment a host.
Cultural Insight
It is a polite way to show appreciation.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, so it needs a noun or linking verb.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'sh' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for people.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin word for pleasure.
Study Smart
Pair it with 'smell' and 'taste' in your notes.
Writing Tip
Use it to make your descriptions vivid.
Speaking Tip
Use it to show enthusiasm.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
De-LISH-us: It makes you want to LICK your plate.
Visual Association
A steaming hot pizza with melting cheese.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe three things you ate today using the word.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: Delight or pleasure
Cultural Context
Avoid using to describe people as it can be misinterpreted as objectifying.
Commonly used in hospitality and social settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at a restaurant
- The food is delicious.
- A delicious choice.
- Everything is delicious.
at home
- This is a delicious recipe.
- Mom's cooking is delicious.
- A delicious dinner.
social events
- The snacks are delicious.
- A delicious spread.
- Simply delicious.
writing reviews
- An absolutely delicious meal.
- A delicious experience.
- Highly delicious.
Conversation Starters
"What is the most delicious thing you have ever eaten?"
"Do you prefer delicious home-cooked meals or restaurant food?"
"Can you describe a delicious smell?"
"What makes a meal delicious for you?"
"Do you know any delicious recipes?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a delicious meal you had recently.
Describe a delicious smell from your childhood.
If you were a chef, what delicious dish would you create?
Why is it important for food to be delicious?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it works for drinks too.
It is neutral and widely accepted.
Deliciously.
It is better to use 'absolutely delicious'.
No, adjectives don't have plurals.
Mostly, but can be used figuratively.
Yes, it implies high satisfaction.
dih-LISH-uhs.
Test Yourself
The cake is ___.
Delicious describes taste.
Which word means the same as delicious?
Tasty is a synonym.
Can you describe a person as delicious?
It is for food.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
The cake is delicious.
That was an ___ delicious meal.
Absolutely is a strong intensifier.
Can delicious be used figuratively?
Yes, for irony or mystery.
Which is the correct adverb form?
Deliciously is the adverb.
There was a delicious irony.
Word
Meaning
Grammar identification.
Score: /10
Summary
Delicious is the perfect word to describe food that brings you joy.
- Delicious means having a very pleasant taste.
- It is used primarily for food and drink.
- It is an adjective, not an adverb.
- It can be used figuratively for experiences.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a chef saying 'Delicious' every time he tastes his soup.
When Native Speakers Use It
Often used to compliment a host.
Cultural Insight
It is a polite way to show appreciation.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, so it needs a noun or linking verb.
Example
This cake is absolutely delicious!
Related Content
Learn it in Context
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beer
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beverage
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breakfast
A1Breakfast is the first meal of the day, typically eaten in the early morning after waking up. It serves to provide the body with energy after a night of sleep.
cafe
A2A small restaurant serving coffee, light meals, and snacks.
café
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dinner
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eat breakfast
A2Have the first meal of the day.
