delicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delicious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe food or drink that has a very pleasant taste. Example: "The chocolate cake was so delicious that everyone asked for seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a generous range of offerings for the health conscious: delicious freshly squeezed juices – the 'Get Up and Go' with apple, orange, pineapple and ginger is great road trip fuel – Merlo organic coffee, vibrant salads – don't miss the Thai beef salad with crunchy noodes - and some well-thought out vegetarian options, with the roasted butternut pumpkin salad a good pick.

The Guardian - Travel

The chef sets up a stall in the middle of the Campo and the genial Carlo and Davide serve up heaped plates of the dish of the day, which could be a delicious fritto misto, wild mushroom risotto or tasty goulash, priced at €7-10 with a glass of wine included.

The Guardian - Travel

Work up an appetite at the morning and evening yoga classes before tucking into delicious local, organic, vegetarian food.

The Guardian - Travel

In the two restaurants, with outdoor seats under shade, I ate delicious Moroccan/French dishes, such as spiced quail with herbs from the garden.

The Guardian - Travel

The cooking is creative without being tortured, delicious without being safe, a constantly evolving thrill-ride.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Their mission is to alter eating habits by offering a delicious burger for 99 cents, in a bun created by Tartine's Chad Robertson, rather than banging on about kale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With everyone expecting a cross, Obraniak curls a delicious left-footed effort around the wall and into the side-netting with Cech standing still.

The Guardian - Sport

We enjoyed delicious West Indian breakfasts of okra "chop-up", saltfish, spicy sausage and johnny cakes.

The Guardian - Travel

It's delicious; of course it is, how could it not be?

The Guardian

I dined like a medieval king on delicious beef carpaccio, tagine and buckets of sorbet.

The Guardian - Travel

There are also some further south around Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, where among other attractions you can try several delicious craft beers.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "delicious" to convey a positive sensory experience, but vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "tasty" or "scrumptious" to avoid repetition.

Common error

While "delicious" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "exquisite" or "delectable" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "delicious" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their appealing taste or flavor. It directly expresses a positive sensory quality. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "delicious" is a common and versatile term used to describe something that tastes very pleasant. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While "delicious" is widely acceptable, it's advisable to vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "scrumptious" or "tasty", especially in formal writing to avoid overuse. Its function is to express enjoyment and appreciation, and its register is generally neutral, lending itself well to various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delectable

A more formal synonym, implying great delight or enjoyment.

scrumptious

Suggests a delightful and appealing taste, often used informally.

tasty

A common and straightforward alternative, indicating a pleasant flavor.

yummy

A more childlike and enthusiastic way to describe something very tasty.

exquisite

Implies a high level of refinement and delicate flavor.

flavorful

Highlights the richness and intensity of the taste.

palatable

Indicates that something is agreeable to the palate, though not necessarily exceptional.

luscious

Suggests a rich, sweet, and often indulgent flavor.

divine

Emphasizes the exceptional and almost heavenly quality of the taste.

appetizing

Focuses on the appealing appearance and aroma that stimulate hunger.

FAQs

How can I use "delicious" in a sentence?

"Delicious" is typically used to describe food or drink with a very pleasant taste. For example, "The pasta was absolutely delicious."

What can I say instead of "delicious"?

You can use alternatives like "tasty", "scrumptious", or "delectable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "delicious" to describe something other than food?

While primarily used for food, "delicious" can metaphorically describe something pleasing or enjoyable. For example, "a delicious irony".

What's the difference between "delicious" and "tasty"?

"Delicious" often implies a higher degree of enjoyment or flavor intensity compared to "tasty", which is a more general term for having a pleasant flavor.