delicacy

noun

del·​i·​ca·​cy ˈde-li-kə-sē 

plural delicacies

1

: something pleasing to eat that is considered rare or luxurious

considered caviar a delicacy

2

a

: the quality or state of being dainty (see dainty entry 2 sense 2) : fineness

lace of great delicacy

the delicacy of a spider web

b

: frailty sense 1

the delicacy of his health

3

: fineness or subtle expressiveness of touch (as in painting or music)

4

a

: refined sensibility in feeling or conduct

handled the difficult situation with delicacy

b

: the quality or state of being squeamish

Hunger knows no delicacy.

5

: the quality or state of requiring delicate (see delicate entry 1 sense 4b) handling

the delicacy of the tense negotiations

6

a

: precise and refined perception and discrimination

the delicacy of his taste in art

b

: extreme sensitivity : precision

an electronic instrument of great delicacy

7

obsolete

a

: the quality or state of being luxurious

b

: indulgence

Synonyms

• bit
• cate [archaic]
• dainty
• delectable
• goody
• goodie
• kickshaw
• tidbit
• titbit
• treat
• viand

Example Sentences

The restaurant serves delicious sausages and other regional delicacies.

the delicacy of the glassware

The curtains were made from fine lace of great delicacy.

a musician known for the delicacy of her compositions

the delicacy of the young boy's features

the delicacy of the perfume

the delicacy of the wine's flavor

Because of the delicacy of the situation, we needed to speak privately.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Piggie gets Gerald the Elephant to try slop, a stinky green delicacy among porcine foodies. —David Allen, New York Times, 5 May 2023

Yum Escargot: Credit the French for turning slimy, garden-dwelling pests into a delicacy. —Zoe Li, CNN, 2 May 2023

In another moment, Ripert was banging the mold on its side, trying to free the soft white round so it could be dunked into a saltwater brine, and then left to age into manchego cheese, the beloved Spanish delicacy. —Devorah Lev-tov, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023

For instance, one question asks how the user would feel about seeing a whole pig roasting on an open spit, which happens to be a delicacy of Latin American and Asian cuisine. —Christina Montoya Fiedler, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2023

For the second year in a row, a version of Ralph's was serving the delicacies popular at eateries like its New York outpost Polo Bar, including the usual lobster rolls and crunchy finger foods. —Erik Maza, Town & Country, 25 Apr. 2023

This delicacy is unobtrusively accompanied by a near-invisible upper that complements the midsole’s properties. —Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 8 Mar. 2023

The delightfully textural jellyfish is a delicacy across Asia in countries like Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and China. —Jenny Liao, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2023

There’s even caviar service for those who want to indulge, where the delicacy is brought out in a faux Fabergé egg. —Christina Liao, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

see delicate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7a

Kids Definition

delicacy

noun

del·​i·​ca·​cy ˈdel-i-kə-sē 

plural delicacies

1

: something pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury

2

a

: fineness of structure : daintiness

lace of great delicacy

b

: weakness of body : frailty

the delicacy of his health

3

: the ability to express very slight degrees of feeling (as in painting or music)

4

: consideration for the feelings of others

5

: the ability to sense or indicate very slight differences : precision

6

: the tendency to be or state of being squeamish

7

: the quality or state of requiring careful treatment

the delicacy of a situation