What does delectable mean?
Word: Delectable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Delectable means very pleasant to taste, smell or look at; delicious.
Synonyms: delicious, tasty, mouth-watering
Antonyms: unappetising, disgusting
Word origin: Comes from Latin delectabilis, from delectare, to charm or delight.
How do you spell delectable?
Syllables: de - lec - ta - ble
Tricky part: The ending is -able, not -ible: students often write delectible.
Watch out for: delectible, delectibel
Memory tip: Delectable food belongs on the dinner table, and the word ends in the same five letters: t-a-b-l-e.
Delectable in a sentence
Example 1: The aroma of the delectable stew filled the whole house.
Example 2: The bakery window was full of delectable cakes and pastries.
Example 3: Grandmother's mango pickle is delectable with warm flatbreads.
Fun Fact
Delight comes from the same Latin delectare. It was once spelt delite; the gh was added in the 1500s to match light.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the option in which the following letters will fit in the given order: e, e
a) f_rg_ttable
b) n_t_ceable
c) d_l_ctable
d) r_m_rkable
Show answer
c) d_l_ctable. E and e give delectable; the others take e, a (remarkable), o, i (noticeable) and o, e (forgettable).
Word Tally
Give 2 marks for each correctly spelt word. How many marks does this list earn? delectable, aromatic, scrumptous, succulant, savoury
a) 4
b) 10
c) 6
d) 8
Show answer
c) 6. Delectable, aromatic and savoury are correct (3 x 2 = 6); scrumptious and succulent are misspelt.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its opposite:
1. delectable 2. arduous 3. lavish a. easy b. revolting c. frugal
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. Delectable food is the opposite of revolting food; an arduous climb is the opposite of an easy one, and a lavish party of a frugal one.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
tebledacle
a) able to be bent without breaking
b) likely to cause great damage
c) unable to be seen or noticed
d) a treat for the tongue, the nose or the eyes
Show answer
d) a treat for the tongue, the nose or the eyes. Rearranged, the letters spell delectable, a word for food that tastes wonderful.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Most people would describe ____ as delectable.
a) a glass of salty water
b) a warm chocolate pastry
c) a burnt slice of toast
d) a stale piece of bread
Show answer
b) a warm chocolate pastry
2. If a meal is delectable, the guests will probably ____.
a) send it back
b) ask for a second helping
c) complain to the cook
d) leave it untouched
Show answer
b) ask for a second helping
