delighted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'delighted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express strong pleasure or happiness about something. For example: "I was delighted to receive your gift".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Travel

Arts

Education

Film

Opinion

Music

TV & Radio

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 express genuine and strong pleasure or satisfaction, especially when acknowledging a positive outcome or event. For example, "I am delighted with the team's performance this season."

Common error

While "delighted" is appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing it in excessively formal contexts where it might sound insincere. Consider alternatives like "pleased" or "satisfied" for a more understated tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "delighted" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing the state or feeling of the subject. It signifies a strong feeling of pleasure or satisfaction. This is supported by Ludwig, which validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

13%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Arts

5%

Education

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delighted" is a grammatically sound and versatile adjective used to express strong pleasure or satisfaction. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its usage is generally correct, it's best to avoid overuse in overly formal settings, opting for alternatives like "pleased" for a more subdued tone. When aiming to convey genuine happiness, "delighted" remains a reliable and effective choice. Consider synonyms like "thrilled" or "overjoyed" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thrilled

Expresses a feeling of great excitement and pleasure, a stronger emotion than simply "delighted".

overjoyed

Signifies extreme happiness and elation, suggesting a more intense emotional response than "delighted".

pleased

Indicates satisfaction and approval, a milder form of expressing happiness compared to "delighted".

elated

Describes a feeling of great happiness and triumph, implying a more elevated emotional state than "delighted".

happy

A general term for feeling positive emotions, less specific and intense than "delighted".

content

Implies a state of peaceful satisfaction and ease, differing from the more active joy of being "delighted".

gratified

Suggests satisfaction gained from having one's desires or expectations met, a more achievement-oriented feeling than "delighted".

rejoicing

Expresses great joy and celebration, often in a communal context, which is a broader scope than individual delight.

in high spirits

Describes a cheerful and lively mood, a more general state of being happy rather than a specific feeling of delight.

on cloud nine

Indicates an extremely happy and euphoric state, emphasizing the intensity of happiness more than "delighted".

FAQs

How can I use "delighted" in a sentence?

You can use "delighted" to express strong pleasure or satisfaction. For example, "I am delighted to hear about your promotion" or "We are delighted with the results of the experiment".

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

"Delighted" expresses a stronger and more intense feeling of pleasure than "happy". While happy is a general term for feeling positive emotions, delighted implies a greater sense of joy and satisfaction.

Are there any synonyms for "delighted"?

Yes, there are many synonyms for "delighted", including "thrilled", "overjoyed", "pleased", and "elated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

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

"Delighted" is appropriate when you want to express a significant level of joy or satisfaction about something. It works well in both personal and professional contexts when conveying genuine positive emotion, but consider the audience and tone to ensure it fits appropriately.