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
Examples of delicacy in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The coast was a near constant companion from the first day on, and our initial lunch stop was the bellwether of what to expect on the culinary front, La Meridiana Relais & Châteaux’s presentation of delicacies from the Italian Riviera.
—
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Laced with delicacies of the season including artichokes, fava beans and asparagus, combinations are sometimes predictable, like Risotto with Spring Herbs or Artichoke Risotto with Lemon Zest.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
This town of fewer than 2,000 residents is also noteworthy for its pasties, a Michigan delicacy.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
Spiny lobster, which do not have claws like their Maine relatives, are considered a delicacy regionally and as far away as Asia, where much of the local catch is shipped.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for delicacy
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Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Laced with delicacies of the season including artichokes, fava beans and asparagus, combinations are sometimes predictable, like Risotto with Spring Herbs or Artichoke Risotto with Lemon Zest.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
This town of fewer than 2,000 residents is also noteworthy for its pasties, a Michigan delicacy.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
Spiny lobster, which do not have claws like their Maine relatives, are considered a delicacy regionally and as far away as Asia, where much of the local catch is shipped.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for delicacy
Cite this Entry
“Delicacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delicacy. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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