exquisite

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful, ingenious, delicate, or elaborate execution
an exquisite vase
b
: marked by nice discrimination, deep sensitivity, or subtle understanding
exquisite taste
c
: accomplished, perfected
an exquisite gentleman
2
a
: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection
an exquisite white blossom
b
: acute, intense
exquisite pain
c
: having uncommon or esoteric appeal
3
: carefully selected : choice
4
archaic : accurate
exquisitely adverb
exquisiteness noun

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

: one who is overly fastidious in dress or ornament
Choose the Right Synonym for exquisite

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of exquisite in a Sentence

Adjective My dream was … to play smoky ballads of exquisite sweetness and sophistication with somebody like Michelle Pfeiffer leaning misty-eyed over my shoulder. Actually, since this was the middle of the fifties, my fantasy ideal was probably closer to Doris Day. Daniel C. Dennett, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Also on view is one of Poussin's first classical landscape paintings; its exquisite geometry provides fresh insight into why Cézanne was one of this great painter's most passionate admirers. Evelyn Toynton, Arts & Antiques, February 1996
a move executed with exquisite precision Her singing voice is truly exquisite. He chose his words with exquisite care.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The album rewards intent listening, thanks to Hersch’s deep musicality, improvisational mastery, exquisite command of shade and light, and his ability to imbue the spaces between notes with as much meaning as the notes themselves. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Each watch was developed at least 30 years ago and exemplifies technical innovation, exceptional design, rare materials, historical significance, notable ownership or provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and rarity. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Photo: Flo Kohl The fabric and construction of Michael Stewart’s eveningwear is exquisite. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024 Instead, the Thai capital is making its name as one of the world’s leading spots for exquisite fine dining, luxury hotels, and avant-garde design. Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Listen now to hear whether Michelle achieves her dream of exquisite beef bourguignon back home in Miami. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024 While West built a name for himself as an all-time great hip-hop producer with exquisite use of samples and interpolations, with this release that’s been complicated by his recent history of antisemitism, starting in 2022 and after which he was widely condemned and lost numerous business deals. Colin Stutz, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2024 From late March through early April, approximately 3,800 cherry trees dust Washington, D.C. in exquisite shades of pink. Katie Chang, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 This is the first time the museum has invited artists to respond to its collection of exquisite antique quilts, and both the museum’s collection quilts and the artists’ responses are featured. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
The outfits range from the exquisite to the amusing to the absurd, tracing San Francisco fashion from after the 1906 earthquake to the new century. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024 Balcer would put her stamp on the game in another way 25 minutes later, delivering an exquisite through ball that launched Lavelle on a dash up the middle of the Gotham defense toward the tying goal. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2023 In an early, much longer version of this story, the rich jerk was a young woman, and Frank had an exquisite rejoinder to Have a nice day. Paul Theroux, Harper's Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 Affleck has sought out the exquisite before. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 9 Apr. 2022 The exquisite remains allowed scientists to redescribe the species since Hallucigenia’s important head and mouth features were observable. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2015 Why had all his predecessors failed to formulate such an exquisite, indeed mellifluous name for a place of spiritual quest? Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2021 The most exquisite is the Single Late tulip, whose pastel versions are called French tulips by florists. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2021 The mac, resplendent in white cheese, was like putting a Mercedes in my mouth – that exquisite and that aerodynamic of an eat. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 30 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exquisite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English exquisit, from Latin exquisitus, past participle of exquirere to search out, from ex- + quaerere to seek

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exquisite was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near exquisite

Cite this Entry

“Exquisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exquisite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exquisite

adjective
ex·​quis·​ite
ek-ˈskwiz-ət,
ˈek(ˌ)skwiz-
1
: finely done or made
an exquisite lacy handkerchief
an exquisite painting
2
: showing fine discrimination, deep sensitivity, or clear understanding
exquisite taste
3
: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection
exquisite flowers
4
: very severe : intense
exquisite pain
exquisitely adverb
exquisiteness noun

Medical Definition

exquisite

adjective
ex·​qui·​site ik-ˈskwiz-ət How to pronounce exquisite (audio) ek- How to pronounce exquisite (audio)
: acute sense 2a, intense
exquisite pain
exquisitely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on exquisite

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