Delectable
adjective /dɪˈlek.tə.bəl/ — Delightful and highly pleasing to the senses
Definition
Highly pleasing and delightful — especially to the taste, but also to any sense or faculty. The word suggests a pleasure that is both intense and refined.
Beyond the definition
Pleasure precise enough to be noticed. Delectable is the word for enjoyment you pay full attention to — not casual satisfaction but focused appreciation.
Origin & history
From Latin 'delectabilis' (delightful) — from 'delectare' (to delight, to charm) — 'de' (completely) + 'lacere' (to entice). To be completely enticed.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The pastry was delectable — the kind of thing that makes you pay attention to what you're eating.
She found the problem delectable in its complexity — a puzzle she wanted to spend time with.
There is something delectable about the first cool day after a long heat — the relief is itself a pleasure.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Delectable” when the meaning fits your context: Highly pleasing and delightful — especially to the taste, but also to any sense or faculty. The word suggests a pleasure that is both intense and refined.
Synonyms
Antonyms
unpleasant, repulsive, distasteful
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Illustrative example
Refined Buffet Spread
A Swedish buffet table displays a variety of prepared dishes, each carefully crafted to offer a range of rich colors and textures.
The diversity and care evident in the presentation of the dishes reflect the word's meaning of being highly pleasing, suggesting an intensity and refinement that appeals to both taste and visual sense.
Image credit: by bigmick · CC BY-SA 2.0 (license)
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a fitted crop.
Questions about this word
What does "Delectable" mean?
Delectable is adjective meaning: Delightful and highly pleasing to the senses. Highly pleasing and delightful — especially to the taste, but also to any sense or faculty. The word suggests a pleasure that is both intense and refined.
Where does the word "Delectable" come from?
From Latin 'delectabilis' (delightful) — from 'delectare' (to delight, to charm) — 'de' (completely) + 'lacere' (to entice). To be completely enticed.