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 of delicacy

• treat

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

In Foster’s time away from the limelight, Hollywood missed her particular actorly touch with flintiness or with a hard edge — showing the delicacy that lies under a defense mechanism. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026

The company just sent over some fresh eel, a pricey delicacy in your country, to celebrate your work anniversary. —Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026

Between Tennessee Onions, Creamed Onions and Vidalia Onion Pie there are quite a few head-turning Southern delicacies with onion as the star, but this one has to take the cake in the creativity department. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026

At the time, grapes were considered a delicacy. —Fiona Ward, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English delicasie, delicacie "luxuriousness, fastidiousness, fine piece of food," from delicat "luxurious, delicate entry 1" + -asie, -acie -acy

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for delicacy

• indelicacy

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