illicit delights

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illicit delights" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to pleasures or experiences that are forbidden or illegal, often with a connotation of excitement or temptation. Example: "The novel explores the theme of illicit delights, drawing readers into a world of forbidden love and secret escapades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He and his colleagues are strangers to the MP3 player; not for them the illicit delights of napster.com, and even CDs are a bit too fancy and modern.

The Guardian - Film

Instead, the brightest signals arose in cooperative alliances and in those neighborhoods of the brain already known to respond to desserts, pictures of pretty faces, money, cocaine and any number of licit or illicit delights.

The New York Times - Science

While Bergman radiated his displeasure from the far-flung Baltic island of Fårö, Haneke's decision to brave the flashbulbs and Klieg lights has proven one of the more illicit delights of the season – one documented, naturally enough, by a fake Twitter account.

The Guardian - Film

I like to imagine myself living in the 20s, wearing a fabulous flapper dress and being covertly escorted into a dark haunt filled with illicit delights.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The eavesdropping, the delight, felt serenely illicit.

The New Yorker

She took no joy in the illicit.

The New Yorker

The pleasure seems almost illicit.

The New York Times - Arts

Plants are the stuff of legal booze and illicit drugs, and, perhaps more obviously, they simply delight us.

The Washington Post

I read this whilst pregnant and was delighted to find, hidden in the most famous European novel about adultery, illicit passion and moral codes (and almost everything else besides), Dolly's thoughts about the bleak drudgery of pregnancy and childbirth.

The Guardian - Books

People committing illicit acts.

The New Yorker

MURDER? Illicit enrichment?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "illicit delights" to add a touch of intrigue and forbidden allure to your writing, especially when describing experiences that are tempting yet morally questionable.

Common error

Avoid using "illicit delights" when you simply mean 'pleasant experiences'. "Illicit" specifically implies something forbidden or unlawful, not just enjoyable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illicit delights" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "illicit" modifies the noun "delights". It describes pleasures that are forbidden, illegal, or morally disapproved. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts involving forbidden or unconventional experiences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illicit delights" refers to forbidden or unlawful pleasures, carrying a connotation of intrigue and temptation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this noun phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various News & Media outlets. While not a very common expression, its usage is appropriate when aiming to evoke the allure of experiences that are morally questionable or unconventional. Alternative phrases such as "forbidden pleasures" or "guilty pleasures" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Illicit pleasures

Similar meaning, replacing "delights" with a synonym to avoid repetition.

Forbidden pleasures

Focuses on the aspect of being forbidden or against the rules.

Unlawful indulgences

Highlights the illegality and self-indulgent nature of the delights.

Guilty pleasures

Emphasizes the feeling of guilt associated with enjoying the delights.

Secret joys

Suggests that the delights are hidden or kept private.

Improper joys

Emphasizes that the delights are not socially acceptable or morally right.

Subversive amusements

Highlights the rebellious nature of the delights, suggesting they challenge norms.

Forbidden fruit

More metaphorical, emphasizing the temptation and allure of what is forbidden.

Clandestine amusements

Highlights the secrecy and covert nature of the delights.

Underground thrills

Suggests a hidden or secretive source of excitement and pleasure.

FAQs

How can I use "illicit delights" in a sentence?

"Illicit delights" can be used to describe pleasures that are forbidden, illegal, or morally questionable. For example: "The novel explores the theme of "illicit delights", drawing readers into a world of forbidden love and secret escapades."

What are some alternatives to "illicit delights"?

Alternatives to "illicit delights" include "forbidden pleasures", "unlawful indulgences", or "guilty pleasures", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "illicit delights" a common phrase?

While "illicit delights" is grammatically correct and understandable, it is not a particularly common phrase. Other expressions like "guilty pleasures" might be more frequently used in contemporary English.

What is the difference between "illicit delights" and "guilty pleasures"?

"Illicit delights" emphasizes the forbidden or unlawful nature of the pleasure, while "guilty pleasures" focuses on the feeling of guilt or shame associated with enjoying something that is perhaps frivolous or unhealthy but not necessarily illegal.