exquisite

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​qui·​site ek-ˈskwi-zət  ik-ˈskwi-zət  ˈek-(ˌ)skwi- 

1

a

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

an exquisite vase

b

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

exquisite taste

c

: accomplished, perfected

an exquisite gentleman

2

a

: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection

an exquisite white blossom

b

: acute, intense

exquisite pain

c

: having uncommon or esoteric appeal

3

: carefully selected : choice

4

archaic : accurate

exquisitely adverb

exquisiteness noun

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

: one who is overly fastidious in dress or ornament

Synonyms

Adjective

• acute
• almighty
• blistering
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• explosive
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

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

Examples of exquisite in a Sentence

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

The fourth album by these Philadelphia punks is a pristine work in the Sleater-Kinney tradition of petulance: Noise and vulnerability surge in exquisite counterpoint; guitars crunch as satisfyingly as an autumn leaf under one’s heel. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024

Les Jardins De Bagatelle stocks an exquisite selection of French imports. —Eve Ettinger, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

Noun

The songs on our best-of list represent some of the year’s most notable artists (along with a few exquisite below-the-surface players). —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024

With scenery this exquisite and a setting this peaceful, no one should mind experiencing it all over again. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English exquisit, from Latin exquisitus, past participle of exquirere to search out, from ex- + quaerere to seek

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

exquisite

adjective

ex·​quis·​ite

ek-ˈskwiz-ət,

ˈek(ˌ)skwiz-

1

: finely done or made

an exquisite lacy handkerchief

an exquisite painting

2

: showing fine discrimination, deep sensitivity, or clear understanding

exquisite taste

3

: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection

exquisite flowers

4

: very severe : intense

exquisite pain

exquisitely adverb

exquisiteness noun

Medical Definition

exquisite

adjective

ex·​qui·​site ik-ˈskwiz-ət  ek- 

: acute sense 2a, intense

exquisite pain

exquisitely

-lē 

adverb