Cool MateDelicious vs Mmm vs Tasty
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delicious
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Mmm
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Tasty
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Delicious
| Delicious | Mmm | Tasty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈlɪʃəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈlɪʃəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //mʌm//🇺🇸 //mʌm// | 🇬🇧 //ˈteɪsti//🇺🇸 //ˈteɪsti// |
| Meaning | Tastes very good. | A sound to show pleasure or agreement. | Delicious or good to eat. |
| Example | The chocolate cake she made was absolutely delicious! | After taking a bite of the cake, she said, 'Mmm!' with a smile. | The chocolate cake was incredibly tasty. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | ||
| Collocations | be, look, smell, incredibly, most, really, delicious and nutritious | make a sound, show satisfaction, express enjoyment | tasty dish, tasty snack, tasty meal, tasty treat, tasty food |
| Antonyms | disgusting, unappetizing, bland | - | bland, tasteless, unappetizing |
| Common mistakes | Using 'delicious' to describe non-food items., Confusing 'delicious' with 'tasty' or 'yummy' in inappropriate contexts. | Used in formal writing., Mispronounced by non-native speakers., Used too often in conversation. | Using 'tasty' for non-food items, like experiences or people., Confusing 'tasty' with 'tasty-looking', which refers to appearance., Overusing 'tasty'; better to vary vocabulary with synonyms. |
| Usage notes | Use 'delicious' to describe food that tastes great. It's appropriate in most contexts, but avoid it in very formal writing or serious discussions. | Used when enjoying food or to express agreement. Not suitable for formal contexts. | Use 'tasty' to describe food that is enjoyable to eat. It’s suitable in both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delicious vs Mmm vs Tasty
What's the difference between Delicious, Mmm, and Tasty?
Delicious: Tastes very good. Mmm: A sound to show pleasure or agreement. Tasty: Delicious or good to eat.
Which is more common: Delicious, Mmm, and Tasty?
Delicious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Delicious: The chocolate cake she made was absolutely delicious! Mmm: After taking a bite of the cake, she said, 'Mmm!' with a smile. Tasty: The chocolate cake was incredibly tasty.
Can I use Delicious, Mmm, and Tasty interchangeably?
Not always. Delicious, Mmm, and Tasty are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.