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

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

When asked about her plans during her time in N.Y.C., Fergie referenced a quintessential delicacy — a hot dog with mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut and relish! —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Those qualities – delicacy, grace and sweetness — are largely encapsulated within the tidy person of Michelle (Hélène Vincent, aged 81 in real life and something similar here). —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2024

This wine oozes satiny delicacy with notes of ripe apple, citrus peel and beeswax but the vine age and soils lend the fruit a stony, serious complexity. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Get the Recipe 02 of 12 Tomato Sandwich Many readers responded that this Southern delicacy was a frequent appearance at lunchtime, which makes sense. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2024

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