exquisite

1 of 2

adjective

ex·qui·site ek-ˈskwi-zət

ˈek-(ˌ)skwi-

Synonyms of exquisite next

: marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful, ingenious, delicate, or elaborate execution

an exquisite vase

: marked by nice discrimination, deep sensitivity, or subtle understanding

exquisite taste

: accomplished, perfected

an exquisite gentleman

: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection

an exquisite white blossom

: acute, intense

exquisite pain

: having uncommon or esoteric appeal

: carefully selected : choice

archaic : accurate

exquisitely adverb

exquisiteness noun

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

: one who is overly fastidious in dress or ornament

Choose the Right Synonym for exquisite

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Example Sentences

Adjective My dream was … to play smoky ballads of exquisite sweetness and sophistication with somebody like Michelle Pfeiffer leaning misty-eyed over my shoulder. Actually, since this was the middle of the fifties, my fantasy ideal was probably closer to Doris Day. —

Daniel C. Dennett, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005

Also on view is one of Poussin's first classical landscape paintings; its exquisite geometry provides fresh insight into why Cézanne was one of this great painter's most passionate admirers. —

Evelyn Toynton, Arts & Antiques, February 1996

a move executed with exquisite precision Her singing voice is truly exquisite. He chose his words with exquisite care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Riesling and Gruner Veltliner Domäne Wachau is one of Austria’s iconic wineries, well-regarded for their exquisite and racy single vineyard expressions of grüner veltliner and riesling—two varietals that will take well to a popcorn pairing. —

Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023 Steak aficionados will be at home here, where the kitchen team are known for their chops, steak and seafood, plus exquisite and creative vegetarian options such as carrot marrow. —

Christie Fitzpatrick, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2023 This pair of antique earrings featuring the exquisite red stones encased in a swirl of pearls is an unexpected gift any antique jewlery lover will adore. —

Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Harper's BAZAAR, 16 Jan. 2023 Although his 2013 provocation Moebius might be a more fitting title, South Korea’s Kim Ki-duk delivered something exquisite and elegant with 2006’s Time. —

Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2023 The exquisite and beautifully preserved medieval architecture of Rab Town, which includes four Romanesque campaniles, is just as enticing. —

Mary Novakovich, CNN, 23 Jan. 2023 And, of course, there’s the duet train, in which one user pairs her video with another who pairs it with another and another — like a digital exquisite corpse. —

Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2023 This fragrance is exquisite and sophisticated, fit for a man of noble character. —

Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 These variously exquisite and diabolical images mirror public ambivalence in the face of modernist styles and attendant technological change. —

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2022

Noun

The exquisite remains allowed scientists to redescribe the species since Hallucigenia’s important head and mouth features were observable. —

Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2015 Why had all his predecessors failed to formulate such an exquisite, indeed mellifluous name for a place of spiritual quest? —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2021 The most exquisite is the Single Late tulip, whose pastel versions are called French tulips by florists. —

Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2021 The mac, resplendent in white cheese, was like putting a Mercedes in my mouth – that exquisite and that aerodynamic of an eat. —

Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 30 Mar. 2021 Potter’s ironies, veering between the blunt and the exquisite, the oblique and the confrontational, expose the cruel hazards of nature and the perversities of culture. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exquisite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.