delight in

delight in — phrasal verb

  • delight inbase form
  • delights in3rd person singular
  • delighting in-ing form
  • delighted inpast simple

1. to feel strong enjoyment from something that is unpleasant, embarrassing, or har

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to feel strong enjoyment from something that is unpleasant, embarrassing, or harmful to others

例句

Roya delighted in watching her rival trip over the stage curtain.

delight in + watching [someone do something embarrassing]

Sven secretly delighted in his coworker's clumsy mistake during the big presentation.

同義詞
  • revel in

    suggests open, celebratory enjoyment rather than secret satisfaction

  • gloat over

    stronger; implies openly showing pleasure in someone else's failure

  • take pleasure in

    more neutral equivalent; lacks the dark connotation

反義詞
  • dread

    to anticipate something with great fear or anxiety

  • lament

    to express grief or sorrow about something

文法句型

delight in + noun phrase

delight in + -ing form

用法筆記

Object is almost always something negative — a person's mistake, embarrassment, or failure. Avoid using this for neutral pleasures like good food or pleasant weather; use 'enjoy' instead.

常見錯誤

❌She delighted in to watch them fail.
✅She delighted in watching them fail.
💡'delight in' is followed by a noun or -ing form, never an infinitive.
❌We delighted in the beautiful sunset.
✅We enjoyed the beautiful sunset.
💡'delight in' typically describes pleasure taken in something negative or at someone else's expense.