/ dɪˈlaɪt; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] a feeling of great pleasure
SYN joy :
a feeling of sheer / pure delight
The children squealed with delight when they saw the puppy.
She won the game easily, to the delight of all her fans.
He takes (great) delight in (= enjoys) proving others wrong.
➡ note at pleasure
2.
[ C ] something that gives you great pleasure
SYN joy :
This guitar is a delight to play.
the delights of living in the country
■ verb
[ vn ] to give sb a lot of pleasure and enjoyment :
This news will delight his fans all over the world.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- delight in sth / doing sth
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle 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 .