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

What may be nauseating in one context is a delicacy in another. —Joseph Orkin, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2024

Step three: cook them Cicadas have been utilized in cuisines across the world, eaten in ancient Greece and Rome and long enjoyed as a traditional delicacy in Thailand and Congo. —Koh Ewe, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Ultimately, what keeps Nowhere Special from being nothing special is the film’s delicacy, its unfussy simplicity, its perceptiveness. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

In fact, the pythons in the study published in Scientific Report were actually farm-raised in Thailand and Vietnam, where the snake is a delicacy and part of the culinary culture. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

Customers have from now until 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, to order their favorite pies, rolls, cookies and other delicacies at piroshkybakery.com. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2024

Some praise it as a high delicacy while others seemed baffled by it altogether. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2024

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

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