delight Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
    delectation.
    • his delight to see her was obvious to all
  2. noun something or someone that provides a source of happiness
    joy; pleasure.
    • a joy to behold
    • the pleasure of his company
    • the new car is a delight
  3. verb give pleasure to or be pleasing to
    please.
    • These colors please the senses
    • a pleasing sensation
  4. verb take delight in
    enjoy; revel.
    • he delights in his granddaughter
  5. verb hold spellbound
    enthrall; ravish; enthral; enrapture; enchant; transport.

WordNet

De*light" noun
Etymology
OE. delit, OF. delit, deleit, fr. delitier, to delight. See Delight, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a high-wrought state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure; extreme satisfaction; joy.
    Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Shak.
    A fool hath no delight in understanding. Prov. xviii. 2.
  2. That which gives great pleasure or delight.
    Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight. Milton.
  3. Licentious pleasure; lust. Obs. Chaucer.
De*light" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. deliten, OF. delitier, deleitier, F. délecter, fr. L. delectare to entice away, to delight (sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of delicere to allure, delight; de- + lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus a snare. Cf. Delectate, Delicate, Delicious, Dilettante, Elicit, Lace.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Delighted; present participle & verbal noun Delighting
Definitions
  1. To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear.
    Inventions to delight the taste. Shak.
    Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds. Tennyson.
De*light" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; -- followed by an infinitive, or by in.
    Love delights in praises. Shak.
    I delight to do thy will, O my God. Ps. xl. 8.

Webster 1913