Delight vs That's how you get your kicks

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Delight

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

That's how you get your kicks

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: DelightMost common: Delight
 DelightThat's how you get your kicks
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈlaɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈlaɪt/"]/🇬🇧 //ðæts haʊ juː ɡɛt jɔːr kɪks//🇺🇸 //ðæts haʊ ju ɡɛt jɔr kɪks//
MeaningA feeling of great pleasure and happiness.That's how you have fun or enjoy yourself.
ExampleThe children's laughter was a delight to hear.For some, hiking in the mountains is their way of getting kicks.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsgreat, absolute, utter, express, find, take, in delight, with delight, of delight, a cry, gasp, squeal, etc. of delight, much to somebody’s delight, real, constant, unexpected, explore, sample, enjoy, delight toget your kicks from, find your kicks, search for kicks
Antonymsdispleasure, sorrow, dismay-
Common mistakesConfused with 'delighted' — 'delight' is a noun or verb, while 'delighted' is an adjective., Using 'delight' in past tense incorrectly, as in 'I delight last week' instead of 'I delighted'.Using it in formal settings where fun isn't appropriate., Confusing with literal meanings of 'kicks' as footwear., Misunderstanding it as a negative phrase rather than one about enjoyment.
Usage notesUse 'delight' to describe something that brings joy, often in neutral or positive contexts. It's less common in formal writing, where 'pleasure' might be preferred. Avoid using it in negative contexts.Used in casual conversations, often among friends. It may not be suitable for formal contexts.

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That's how you get your kicks

Frequently asked questions: Delight vs That's how you get your kicks

What's the difference between Delight and That's how you get your kicks?

Delight: A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. That's how you get your kicks: That's how you have fun or enjoy yourself.

Which is more formal: Delight and That's how you get your kicks?

Delight is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Delight and That's how you get your kicks?

Delight is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Delight: The children's laughter was a delight to hear. That's how you get your kicks: For some, hiking in the mountains is their way of getting kicks.

Can I use Delight and That's how you get your kicks interchangeably?

Not always. Delight and That's how you get your kicks 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.

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