Is delicious more formal than tasty?

Yes. Delicious sounds a little stronger and more expressive than tasty.

Can I use delicious for non-food things?

Yes, but only in an expressive way, like a delicious joke or delicious irony.

What is the difference between delicious and yummy?

Yummy is more casual and childlike. Delicious is more common in everyday adult English.

← Dictionary

delicious

/dɪˈlɪʃ.əs/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Delicious food or drink tastes very good and gives great pleasure. People also use it for something very enjoyable, not just food.

This cake is delicious.
We had a delicious lunch.
That was a delicious surprise.

Adinary Nuance

Delicious is stronger than tasty and sweeter than good. Use tasty for general approval, and delicious when the flavour is especially pleasing. For non-food things, delicious usually sounds vivid and a little expressive, not neutral.

In other languages

Vietnamese: ngon
Spanish: delicioso
Chinese: 美味的
Japanese: おいしい
Korean: 맛있는

Etymology

Delicious comes from Latin deliciousus, from delicere, meaning "to delight" or "to charm." It entered English through Old French in the late Middle Ages.

Common phrases

delicious fooddelicious mealabsolutely deliciousdeliciously rich

Synonyms

tasty yummy savory flavourful

Frequently asked questions

Is delicious more formal than tasty?: Yes. Delicious sounds a little stronger and more expressive than tasty.
Can I use delicious for non-food things?: Yes, but only in an expressive way, like a delicious joke or delicious irony.
What is the difference between delicious and yummy?: Yummy is more casual and childlike. Delicious is more common in everyday adult English.