delight in

USAGE SUMMARY

"delight in" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take great pleasure or enjoyment in something. You can use it in a sentence to describe the act of finding joy in something: - She takes great delight in painting, spending hours in her studio every day. - The children were filled with delight in the presence of the colorful balloons. - The chef's delight in experimenting with new flavors led to the creation of a unique and delicious dish. You can also use it to express someone's reaction to something: - The audience was filled with delight as the acrobats performed breathtaking stunts. - I could see the delight in his eyes as he opened the carefully wrapped gift. - He couldn't hide his delight when he found out he had won first place in the competition. In summary, "delight in" is a versatile and correct phrase that can be used in various contexts to describe joy, pleasure, or enjoyment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is so much to delight in!

Huffington Post

I delight in it.

The New Yorker

"Fans delight in it.

The New York Times - Sports

But many delight in trying.

The New York Times - Travel

The government officials delight in obfuscation.

The New York Times

They delight in the imagined power struggle.

The New York Times

Brown took delight in hampering this.

The Guardian - Opinion

It takes an Updikean delight in sensuality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Delight in words.

The Guardian

Haidt seems to delight in mischief.

The New York Times - Books

She finds delight in that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delight in" to express a strong sense of enjoyment or pleasure derived from a specific activity, experience, or object. It conveys a deeper appreciation than simply "enjoy".

Common error

While "delight in" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it, especially in highly formal or academic writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "take pleasure in" or "appreciate deeply" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delight in" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It expresses a state of experiencing great pleasure or enjoyment. Ludwig shows numerous examples of it being used to describe people's positive feelings towards activities, objects, or experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delight in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that effectively conveys a strong sense of enjoyment or pleasure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, though more common in news and media. To enhance your writing, consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "take pleasure in" or "revel in", especially in formal contexts. With its clear meaning and versatility, "delight in" remains a valuable addition to your expressive toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take pleasure in

Uses "pleasure" instead of "delight", slightly changing the tone to be less intense.

revel in

Implies a more exuberant and intense enjoyment than "delight in".

enjoy greatly

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct expression of enjoyment.

find joy in

Focuses on the feeling of "joy" derived from something, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

appreciate deeply

Suggests a more profound and thoughtful enjoyment.

savor

Implies taking time to fully enjoy something, often used for experiences or tastes.

be fond of

Indicates a liking or affection for something, less intense than "delight in".

be pleased by

Expresses satisfaction or contentment, a milder form of enjoyment.

get a kick out of

A more informal way of expressing amusement or enjoyment.

be gratified by

Implies a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment derived from something.

FAQs

How can I use "delight in" in a sentence?

Use "delight in" to express a strong sense of enjoyment. For example, "She "delights in" painting landscapes" or "They "delight in" classical music".

What are some alternatives to "delight in"?

You can use alternatives such as "take pleasure in", "revel in", or "enjoy greatly" to express similar meanings.

Is "delight in" formal or informal?

"Delight in" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but it's slightly more emphatic than a simple "enjoy". Consider the tone of your writing when choosing between ""delight in"" and "enjoy"".

What's the difference between "delight in" and "take delight in"?

The phrases ""delight in"" and "take delight in" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The addition of "take" doesn't significantly alter the sense of enjoyment.