When you want to write the emotion delight, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Delight is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness that is often accompanied by a sense of satisfaction or contentment. It is a positive emotion that can arise from a variety of sources, such as achieving a goal, experiencing something new and exciting, or simply being in the presence of people or things that bring joy and pleasure. Delight can manifest in different ways, such as smiling, laughing, or feeling a sense of warmth or lightness in the body. It is a powerful emotion that can inspire creativity and motivate us to pursue our passions and goals.

Different Types of Delight

Here are some different types of delight:

• Pure delight: A feeling of joy, happiness, and pleasure that comes from experiencing something wonderful.
• Childlike delight: A sense of wonder and excitement that is often associated with childhood, like seeing something new or getting a surprise gift.
• Intellectual delight: The pleasure that comes from learning something new, solving a complex problem, or discovering a new idea.
• Sensual delight: A pleasure that comes from experiencing something through the senses, like a delicious meal, a beautiful sunset, or a soft touch.
• Social delight: The happiness that comes from being around other people, making new friends, or being part of a community.
• Creative delight: The satisfaction that comes from making something new, like writing a story, painting a picture, or composing a song.

Situations Associated with Delight

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of delight:

• Achieving a long-term goal or dream
• Receiving unexpected good news or a surprise gift
• Spending time with loved ones or close friends
• Discovering something new or exciting
• Engaging in a favorite hobby or activity
• Witnessing a beautiful or awe-inspiring moment in nature or art
• Overcoming a difficult challenge or obstacle
• Helping someone else achieve success or happiness
• Sharing a moment of laughter or joy with others

Physical Reactions to Delight

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing delight might have:

• Smiling and laughing
• Bright and wide-eyed expression
• Raised eyebrows
• Flushed cheeks
• Jumping up and down or bouncing
• Clapping hands or rubbing them together
• Hugging or embracing others
• Skipping or dancing
• Speaking in a high-pitched or excited voice
• Gesturing with open arms and hands
• Being easily distracted
• Feeling energized and enthusiastic
• Expressing gratitude and appreciation

Thoughts Associated with Delight

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing delight might have:

• This feels amazing!
• I can't believe this is happening to me!
• This is exactly what I wanted!
• I'm so happy right now.
• I feel like I'm on cloud nine!
• Everything is just perfect.
• I can't help but smile.
• I feel like I'm glowing inside.
• I'm over the moon!

Atmosphere of Delight

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of delight in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use bright and cheerful colors, such as warm yellows or soft pinks, to create a sense of happiness and joy.
• Incorporate playful or whimsical elements, like balloons or confetti, to add a lighthearted tone to the scene.
• Use descriptions that evoke a sense of pleasure or satisfaction, such as the taste of a delicious dessert or the feeling of warm sunshine on one's face.
• Include sounds that are associated with happiness, such as laughter or joyful music.
• Create a sense of movement or energy in the scene, such as through dancing or other lively activities.
• Use imagery that is associated with delight, such as a child's smile or a couple's embrace.
• Incorporate elements of surprise or unexpected joy to add a sense of excitement and anticipation to the scene.

Verbs Associated with Delight

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of delight:

• Rejoice
• Celebrate
• Laugh
• Smile
• Chuckle
• Grin
• Beam
• Radiate
• Glitter
• Twinkle
• Gush
• Bubble
• Overflow
• Thrill
• Enthrall
• Captivate
• Charm
• Mesmerize
• Enchant

Emotions Before Delight

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences delight:

• Anticipation
• Excitement
• Surprise
• Relief
• Gratitude
• Contentment
• Satisfaction
• Pride
• Amusement

Emotions After Delight

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences delight:

• Satisfaction
• Contentment
• Gratitude
• Appreciation
• Optimism
• Joy
• Elation
• Enthusiasm
• Excitement
• Amusement
• Playfulness
• Wonder
• Awe
• Inspiration

Telling Delight Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion delight in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She felt delighted to see her old friend after so many years.
• The news of her promotion delighted her to no end.
• He was delighted when he saw the surprise party waiting for him.
• The children were delighted with the new toys their parents had bought them.
• She couldn't hide her delight at the prospect of going on a luxury cruise.
• The smell of freshly baked cookies filled the room, and she felt a rush of delight.
• He felt a warm glow of delight as he watched his daughter perform on stage.
• Her face lit up with delight as she opened the gift from her boyfriend.
• The thought of spending the weekend relaxing by the pool filled her with delight.

Practical Examples of Showing Delight

Here are some examples of showing delight in a sentence:

• She giggled and clapped her hands as she unwrapped the gift.
• His eyes widened with wonder as he took in the breathtaking view.
• She savored every bite of the delicious chocolate cake, closing her eyes in delight.
• He let out a cheerful laugh and hugged his friend tightly.

Exercises for Showing Delight

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing delight:

• Think of a time when you experienced pure joy or delight. Write down all the sensory details and emotions you remember.
• Choose an object, place, or activity that brings your character delight. Describe it in detail, exploring why it makes them feel that way.
• Write a scene in which your character unexpectedly receives good news or accomplishes something they've been working towards. Show how they react and what makes them feel delighted.
• Create a list of physical actions and expressions that convey delight, such as jumping up and down, grinning from ear to ear, or clapping their hands.
• Consider the context in which your character is experiencing delight. Is it a rare occurrence or something they experience frequently? How does this affect their response?
• Write a scene in which your character shares a moment of delight with someone else. How does this deepen their connection or change their relationship?
• Use dialogue to show your character expressing their delight, either to themselves or to others. What words and phrases do they use to convey their excitement?

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotional thesaurus.