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

These are traditional delicacies found in the meyhanes of Turkey, offering guests a true taste of our country’s rich culinary culture. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Another starter features perhaps the finest handshake of the two culinary traditions — a piece of bone marrow, wood-fired and infused with New York deli delicacies, pastrami and sauerkraut. —Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

These soon-to-be delicacies are made with pretzel-style King’s Hawaiian Slider Buns for a sweet and salty flavor combination. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025

Red abalone are large, edible sea snails that are considered a delicacy. —Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see delicate entry 1

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