deliciousness

IPA/dɪˈlɪʃ.əs.nəs/
IPA/dɪˈlɪʃ.əs.nəs/

deliciousness — noun

1. the quality in food or drink that makes eating or drinking it a very enjoyable e

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality in food or drink that makes eating or drinking it a very enjoyable experience

Example

Mei-Lin could not stop talking about the deliciousness of the mango sticky rice she had in Bangkok.

deliciousness of [specific dish] — naming the food item

The deliciousness of the freshly baked bread filled the entire kitchen with warmth.

Common collocations
  • incredible deliciousness
  • sheer deliciousness
  • burst of deliciousness
  • bring out the deliciousness
Synonyms
  • tastiness

    more informal; focuses on flavour impact rather than overall enjoyment

  • lusciousness

    suggests rich, creamy, or indulgent food, especially sweet items

  • scrumptiousness

    playful and informal; implies something especially indulgent

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the deliciousness of [food/drink]

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used for food, drink, and their aromas. It does not apply to visual beauty or sounds.

Common Mistakes

The deliciousness of the garden flowers was wonderful.
The sweet fragrance of the garden flowers was wonderful.
deliciousness in this sense refers to the taste or smell of food and drink, not to flowers.

2. the quality of being extremely pleasant or satisfying in a way that is not relat

2.nounC1
Definition

the quality of being extremely pleasant or satisfying in a way that is not related to taste

Example

The deliciousness of a lazy Sunday morning with no alarms is hard to describe.

deliciousness as abstract pleasantness (not taste)

Elena savoured the deliciousness of finally finishing her novel after two years of work.

Common collocations
  • a certain deliciousness
  • deliciousness of the moment
  • deliciousness of freedom
Synonyms
  • pleasantness

    more neutral and broader; lacks the emotional richness of deliciousness

  • sweetness

    often used for emotional experiences, e.g. the sweetness of a child's gesture

  • joyfulness

    focuses on the emotion of happiness rather than the quality of an experience

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the deliciousness of [abstract experience]

Usage Note

This sense is much rarer than sense 1. It often describes experiences, moments, or situations that are deeply satisfying. It may carry a slightly literary or ironic tone.

Common Mistakes

I enjoyed the deliciousness of my new laptop.
I really love how great my new laptop is.
deliciousness in this sense sounds unnatural for ordinary objects that are simply good, not deeply pleasant.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Deliciousness is the broadest term for food that tastes or smells wonderful. Tastiness is more informal and focuses on the impact of flavour rather than the overall eating experience. Lusciousness adds a sense of richness and sensory pleasure, often used for sweet, creamy, or indulgent foods such as chocolate mousse or ripe fruit. Scrumptiousness is playful and informal, suggesting something especially tempting or indulgent, like a birthday cake or a holiday feast. Flavourfulness is more technical and neutral, emphasising the presence of many strong flavours rather than the quality of enjoyment. For example, you might praise the deliciousness of a home-cooked stew, the lusciousness of a dark chocolate tart, or the scrumptiousness of freshly baked cookies.

tastinessflavourfulnesslusciousness ↗scrumptiousness

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the deliciousness of
  • a certain deliciousness
  • sheer deliciousness

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Delicious traces back through Old French delicieux to Late Latin deliciosus, from Latin deliciae meaning 'delight' or 'pleasure'. The English suffix -ness turns the adjective delicious into the noun deliciousness, naming the quality of being delightful.