Delighted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Delighted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of great pleasure or satisfaction, often in response to good news or a positive situation. Example: "I am delighted to hear that you received the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arsenal fans also delighted in his on-field berating of Özil following the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City last December; Özil had made straight for the dressing room, and not the travelling supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

The response – a flurry of favourites and followers (he now has 38,000 and counting) – left him completely baffled but secretly delighted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blair's six-figure donation was accepted by Labour last week, with the party saying it was "delighted" that he was backing Ed Miliband's campaign for Downing Street with his own money.

The Guardian

I know he loves our theatre, and I am delighted for our staff, our audiences and for our acting and production communities that he will be its next guardian".

The Guardian

In that context, it is perhaps wisest to view the past week's events as a bit of sport in the finest traditions of a paper that, for more than four decades, has delighted in defying the critics of its daily serving of nipples.

The Guardian

When the ABT offer came, Ratmansky was delighted, not least because it gave him the freedom to accept other commissions.

The Guardian

Hirst is delighted with the commanding pose – intended ironically, but recalling old master paintings of popes and princes.

The Guardian - Arts

After Davis tripled his majority to 15,355 on a low but respectable 34% turnout in Haltemprice and Howden, David Cameron said he was "delighted" with the result while adding that he still had "a very strong shadow cabinet" without having to take Davis back.

The Guardian

I am delighted that the university is able to host such a useful and positive event for the new intake of students".

The Guardian

The first six rounds of courses have launched successfully and the partnership is delighted to announce new dates starting in September 2015, details of which are now available.

The Guardian

"Everyone is delighted from that off-the-field perspective.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delighted" to convey a strong sense of pleasure and satisfaction, particularly when expressing appreciation for good news or a positive outcome. It adds a touch of formality and sincerity.

Common error

Avoid using "delighted" in very casual or informal settings where a simpler term like "happy" or "glad" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound overly formal or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "delighted" is as an adjective, often used to describe a state of being greatly pleased or filled with wonder. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English, showcased across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delighted" is a grammatically sound adjective widely used to express a strong sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media, lifestyle, and sport contexts, often conveying a sincere and enthusiastic response to positive events. When choosing an alternative, consider options like "pleased" or "thrilled" based on the desired level of intensity. Remember that while its frequent usage makes it very common, reserve it to more formal or semi-formal context to achieve a more profound sense of pleasure and satisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pleased

A more general term for satisfaction; less intense than "delighted".

Thrilled

Implies a higher level of excitement and joy compared to "delighted".

Glad

A simpler and less formal way to express happiness or satisfaction.

Elated

Suggests a state of great happiness and exhilaration, often more intense than "delighted".

Overjoyed

Indicates extreme happiness and pleasure, exceeding the level of "delighted".

Content

Focuses on a sense of peaceful happiness and satisfaction, which is a subtle difference in meaning compared to "delighted".

Happy

A basic emotion term but less specific about the depth of feeling compared to "delighted".

Gratified

Emphasizes satisfaction gained, often after effort, whereas "delighted" is more general.

Enchanted

Suggests being charmed or captivated, adding a whimsical or magical element not present in "delighted".

Charmed

Implies a pleasing or attractive quality that causes delight.

FAQs

How can I use "delighted" in a sentence?

You can use "delighted" to express pleasure or satisfaction, such as "I am delighted to hear about your promotion" or "We are delighted with the results of the project".

What can I say instead of "delighted"?

You can use alternatives like "pleased", "thrilled", or "glad", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "delighted" in writing?

"Delighted" is appropriate in formal or semi-formal contexts when you want to convey a strong sense of pleasure or satisfaction. It is often used in professional correspondence or when responding to good news.

What's the difference between "delighted" and "happy"?

"Delighted" implies a stronger and more profound sense of pleasure than "happy". While "happy" is a general term, "delighted" suggests a specific and intense feeling of joy or satisfaction.