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

Blended chickpeas also make an excellent, tempura-like batter for a whole host of fried delicacies, says McQueen. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 5 Apr. 2024

Wild Alaskan Salmon is respected as a delicacy among fish, being free-range and growing to huge sizes. —Alyssa Edwards, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

The nests, made from the birds’ saliva, are the key ingredient in bird’s nest soup, an expensive delicacy believed by many Chinese to have health benefits. —Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

The delicacy of Bryan’s lyrics, and the intimacy of his songs, was stripped away at a live show and replaced by the tumult of communal experience. —Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

The first attempt to export lobster beyond local regions as a de facto delicacy came when canneries were established there in 1841. —The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

However, as with any tool, interruptions must be deployed with discretion and delicacy. —Andrea Wanerstrand, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

With San Francisco’s scenic City Hall as its backdrop, there were food trucks offering local delicacies and a book mobile giving away free brand-new books. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 28 Feb. 2024

Dishes tread the line between delicacy and substance. —Gisela Williams Marina O’Loughlin Roxanne Fequiere Camille Sojit Pejcha Gisela Williams, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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