What is delighted? Pronunciation and usage in English

delighted means . Learn how to pronounce and use delighted through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of delighted

delightedadjective

/dɪˈlʌɪtɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of delighted

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "delighted" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "delighted" has four syllables:

  • del - like the beginning of "delicious"
  • ight - like the “ight” in “night”
  • ed - as in “bed”
  • ted - as in “letter”

2. Phonetic Breakdown (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • /ˈdɛlɪtɪd/

Let's break down each part:

  • /ˈdɛl/: The first syllable. “Del” - as in “delicious”. The stress is on this syllable.
  • /ɪt/: A short “i” sound, like in “bit.”
  • /d/: The “d” sound.
  • /ɪd/: A short “i” sound, like in “bit,” followed immediately by the “d” sound.

3. How to Say It (step-by-step):

  1. Start with a clear "del": Say "del" as in the word "delicious".
  2. Add the "i" sound: Quickly add a short "i" sound like in "bit". So it’s “del-i”.
  3. Say “ted”: Follow this with the “ted” sound as in the word “letter”. This completes the word.

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't overemphasize the "ed": It's a subtle sound. It’s not a strong, emphasized "d".
  • Don’t say “dee-light-ed”: This is a very common mistake. The stress is on the first syllable.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken by native English speakers. You can find audio examples on:

Resources for Hearing Pronunciation:

  • YouGlish: https://youglish.com/ – Type in "delighted" and it will show you videos of people saying it in real-life contexts.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble with a specific part of the word? (e.g., the first syllable, the "it" sound, the "ed")

Usage and examples with the word delighted in English

Let's break down how to use the word "delighted" in English. It's a fantastic word that expresses a genuine feeling of pleasure and happiness. Here's a breakdown of usage, with examples:

1. Basic Meaning & Core Usage:

  • Definition: "Delighted" means feeling or expressing great pleasure or satisfaction. It's stronger than simply "happy" – it suggests a more profound and heartfelt feeling.

  • Structure: It's typically used as an adjective describing a person or a situation or as a verb expressing how someone feels.

2. As an Adjective (Describing Someone or Something):

  • Describing a person's feeling:

    • "I was delighted to hear about your promotion!" (Expressing your pleasure at their good news)
    • "She looked delighted with the gift." (She was very pleased with the present)
    • "We are delighted to welcome you to our home." (Expressing that you're happy to have them)
    • "He's a delighted child, always smiling." (He’s a genuinely happy child)

  • Describing something that causes pleasure:

    • "The flowers were delighted me." (Meaning: The flowers pleased me greatly – this is less common, but grammatically correct)
    • "The hotel room was delighted; it was beautiful and comfortable." (The room was pleasing)

3. As a Verb (Expressing How Someone Feels):

  • "to be delighted": This is the most common usage.
    • “I am delighted with the results of our work.” (I’m very pleased with the outcome)
    • “She delighted at the news of her acceptance to university.” (She was thrilled/overjoyed)
    • “He delighted to see his family after so long.” (He was very happy to see them).

4. Variations & Related Words:

  • Delightful: This is an adjective that describes something that causes delight. It's often used to describe places, things, or experiences.

    • "It was a delightful afternoon tea."
    • "She has a delightful personality."

  • Delightedly: (Adverb) - Describes how someone does something, showing they are doing it with pleasure.

    • "She celebrated delightedly when she won the prize." (She celebrated with great joy)

5. Level of Formality:

  • "Delighted" is generally considered a slightly more formal word than "happy" or "pleased." It’s appropriate for most situations, but in very casual conversation, "happy" or "glad" might be more natural.

6. Common Phrases:

  • "Delighted to…": A polite way to express pleasure about something.
    • "Delighted to meet you."
    • "Delighted to hear your feedback."

Examples Putting it Together:

  • "We were delighted to receive your positive review!" (Adjective describing a feeling)
  • “I am delighted that you could make it to the party.” (Verb - expressing a feeling)
  • "The children were delighted with their new toys." (Adjective describing something)

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you trying to use "delighted" in? (e.g., writing an email, speaking in a conversation, etc.)
  • Do you have a specific sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word delighted

Practice with vocabulary delighted

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. The team was truly ______ by the positive feedback from the client regarding the new project proposal.
  2. I am absolutely ______ to accept your offer for the Senior Analyst position; I look forward to contributing to your esteemed firm.
  3. The committee members were very ______ with the detailed report submitted, praising its thoroughness.
  4. She was ______ to start her new role, having meticulously prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all the words that correctly complete each sentence.

  1. Upon hearing the news of the successful product launch, the CEO felt a wave of ______ wash over him. A) elation B) apathy C) delight D) indifference E) euphoria

  2. We would be absolutely ______ to have you present your groundbreaking research findings at our annual conference next month. A) content B) thrilled C) reluctant D) delighted E) apprehensive

  3. Seeing the profound positive impact of their charity work on the community, the volunteers were truly ______ by the gratitude expressed. A) disheartened B) gratified C) disappointed D) delighted E) fulfilled

  4. The customer service representative remained ______ despite the challenging nature of the customer's query, handling the situation professionally. A) annoyed B) patient C) furious D) calm E) exasperated

  5. Her innovative approach to problem-solving truly ______ the entire management team, prompting a re-evaluation of current strategies. A) confused B) perplexed C) impressed D) surprised E) confounded

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided.

  1. Rewrite the sentence using the word "delighted": We were extremely happy when we heard about your recent promotion to project manager.

  2. Rewrite the sentence using a form of the word "delight": His groundbreaking discovery filled the entire scientific community with immense joy and excitement.

  3. Rewrite the sentence without using the word "delighted": She was very keen to begin the new intensive training program for aspiring executives.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. delighted
  2. delighted
  3. pleased
  4. eager

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) elation, C) delight, E) euphoria
  2. B) thrilled, D) delighted
  3. B) gratified, D) delighted, E) fulfilled
  4. B) patient, D) calm
  5. C) impressed, D) surprised

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We were absolutely delighted to hear about your recent promotion to project manager.
  2. His groundbreaking discovery brought immense delight to the entire scientific community.
  3. She was very eager to begin the new intensive training program for aspiring executives.

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