Delight: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to describe a high level of satisfaction and enjoyment, especially in response to a specific event or thing.

• She found great delight in the children's laughter

Pleasure is used to describe a feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction, often from a specific activity or experience. This word can sometimes have a more sensory or immediate connotation.

• Reading a good book is one of her simple pleasures

Joy conveys a strong and deep feeling of happiness, often lasting and sometimes associated with something significant or meaningful.

• The birth of her first child brought her immense joy

Happiness is a general term for a state of well-being and contentment, and can be used in a wide range of contexts.

• She felt a deep sense of happiness after achieving her goals

Bliss is often used to refer to a state of perfect happiness, often associated with a sense of peace and completeness, sometimes spiritual or romantic.

• The newlyweds were in a state of wedded bliss

Used to express great pleasure or satisfaction, often in a formal or literary context.

• The beautiful garden filled her with delight
• He takes great delight in painting

Used in a general sense to indicate making someone happy or satisfied, commonly used in everyday conversation.

• Her compliments pleased him
• They were pleased with the results

Used to indicate making someone happy, often in a more formal or poetic sense.

• The news of their success gladdened his heart
• The arrival of the first spring flowers gladdened the people

Used to express a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure, often related to an exhilarating experience.

• The roller coaster ride thrilled the kids
• She was thrilled to receive the award