exquisitely
Americanadverb
-
excellently, especially in a way that shows extreme refinement or elegance.
The scenic design is gorgeous, and the show is exquisitely lit.
Under the tree stands a group of exquisitely sculpted Buddhas.
-
to a degree that is exceptional or extraordinary.
String theory suggests that the universe is created by the vibrations of exquisitely tiny superstrings in ten spatial dimensions.
-
to an extreme degree; intensely.
Until that point, I had not heard the details of my students’ exquisitely personal stories of the experience of war.
The ocean swim was truly invigorating, and I felt exquisitely alive.
-
showing keen sensitivity.
The blood-brain barrier is a network that exquisitely controls the movement of cells and molecules between the blood and the fluid that surrounds the brain.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exquisitely
Explanation
When something is done exquisitely, it's done with beautiful, perfect detail, like a masterfully painted portrait or a beautifully composed symphony. To do something exquisitely means to do it with exceptional beauty and precision. Think of a delicate piece of jewelry crafted with intricate designs, or a dish prepared by a top chef with the finest ingredients. The word comes from the Latin exquisitus, meaning "carefully sought out or chosen." Exquisitely crafted things stand out for their detailed perfection and elegance, such as a finely written poem, a gorgeously decorated room, or a flawlessly executed dance performance.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Exquisitely directed by Oliver Hermanus from a script by Kazuo Ishiguro, this English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Ikiru’ finds fresh depths in a classic.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2022
Exquisitely complex molecular machines made of proteins or, in the case of the ribosome, a combination of proteins and RNA carry out each step.
From Science Magazine • Oct. 26, 2022
Exquisitely groomed dirt mounds, roads, buttes and depressions like dry lake beds spread out in no immediately obvious order and in different directions.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2022
Exquisitely illustrated, the anthology was published by Morrison's siblings in collaboration with famed Genesis Publications.
From Salon • Dec. 11, 2021
Exquisitely detailed, it indicates that half a mile downstream, in the throat of the canyon, is a gauging station that was built by the U.S.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
