delicacy
/ˈdel.ɪ.kə.si/- 1.
Something very tasty, special, or expensive to eat. It often suggests fine food from a particular place or a rare treat.
- Oysters are a local delicacy.
- She bought sweets as a delicacy.
- This cheese is a real delicacy.
- 2.
The quality of being careful, gentle, or sensitive. It is used when dealing with difficult feelings or a delicate situation.
- She handled the news with delicacy.
- The topic needs delicacy and tact.
- He spoke about it with great delicacy.
- 3.
The quality of being fine, light, or not strong. This sense is common in descriptions of taste, touch, or design.
- The soup had a lovely delicacy.
- I liked the delicacy of the fabric.
- The painting has a delicate delicacy.
Adinary Nuance
Delicacy is close to "delicate" and "tact", but it is not the same as either. "Tact" is mainly about careful social behaviour, while "delicacy" can also mean a special food or a fine quality. Use "delicacy" when you want the idea of something rare, refined, or handled gently.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- món đặc sản
- Spanish
- delicadeza
- Chinese
- 美味佳肴
- Japanese
- 珍味
- Korean
- 진미
Etymology
Delicacy comes from Old French delicacie, from Latin delicatus meaning 'dainty' or 'pleasing'. It entered English in the Middle Ages and kept both food and sensitivity meanings.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is delicacy only used for food?
- No. It can also mean careful sensitivity, or something fine and light.
- What is the difference between delicacy and delicate?
- Delicate is usually an adjective. Delicacy is a noun for the quality or thing itself.
- Is delicacy formal or everyday English?
- It is fairly formal, but common in writing and educated speech.
- Can I say 'with delicacy'?
- Yes. It means you do something gently, carefully, or with tact.