delicacy

American  

[del-i-kuh-see] / ˈdɛl ɪ kə si /

noun

plural

delicacies

1. fineness of texture, quality, etc.; softness; daintiness.

   the delicacy of lace.

   Antonyms:

   coarseness

2. something delightful or pleasing, especially a choice food considered with regard to its rarity, costliness, or the like.

   Caviar is a great delicacy.

3. the quality of being easily broken or damaged; fragility.

4. the quality of requiring or involving great care or tact.

   negotiations of great delicacy.

5. extreme sensitivity; precision of action or operation; minute accuracy.

   the delicacy of a skillful surgeon's touch; a watch mechanism of unusual delicacy.

   Synonyms:

   discrimination, sensitivity, circumspection, consideration, prudence

6. fineness of perception or feeling; sensitiveness.

   the delicacy of the pianist's playing.

   Antonyms:

   coarseness

7. fineness of feeling with regard to what is fitting, proper, etc..

   Delicacy would not permit her to be rude.

8. sensitivity with regard to the feelings of others.

   She criticized him with such delicacy that he was not offended.

9. bodily weakness; liability to sickness; frailty.

10. Linguistics. (especially in systemic linguistics) the degree of minuteness pursued at a given stage of analysis in specifying distinctions in linguistic description.

11. Obsolete. sensuous indulgence; luxury.

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delicacy British  

/ ˈdɛlɪkəsɪ /

noun

1. fine or subtle quality, character, construction, etc

   delicacy of craftsmanship

2. fragile, soft, or graceful beauty

3. something that is considered choice to eat, such as caviar

4. fragile construction or constitution; frailty

5. refinement of feeling, manner, or appreciation

   the delicacy of the orchestra's playing

6. fussy or squeamish refinement, esp in matters of taste, propriety, etc

7. need for tactful or sensitive handling

8. accuracy or sensitivity of response or operation, as of an instrument

9. (in systemic grammar) the level of detail at which a linguistic description is made; the degree of fine distinction in a linguistic description

10. obsolete gratification, luxury, or voluptuousness

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Other Word Forms

• hyperdelicacy noun

Etymology

Origin of delicacy

First recorded in 1325–75, delicacy is from the Middle English word delicasie. See delicate, -cy

Explanation

A ballerina's quick, perfect steps? An antique porcelain teacup? A tiny sentence etched inside a silver locket? All of these have delicacy, or fineness that comes from being light, beautiful, or small. A delicacy can also be a prized dish that is eaten on special occasions or is especially loved by those in a certain culture or place. But what is a delicacy to some (chocolate-covered crickets, anyone?) might disgust others. Remember to use delicacy, or tact, in turning down someone else's delicacies. This could help you avoid hurting someone's feelings.

Example Sentences

His family has trawled for their livelihoods here since 1918, and Koman's company still keeps live eels for smoking - a traditional Dutch delicacy - and supplying high-end restaurants across the country.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Over a dinner of noodles made from fish and sweet-potato powder, a local delicacy, my grandfather’s aged cousin raised a glass of homemade rice wine to me: “Come home often.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

And the creator of the video is not known for his delicacy or tact.

From Slate • Feb. 6, 2026

With one of the best midseason reveals in TV history, “Midnight Mass” has plenty of jump scares while exploring, with surprising delicacy, the need for, and perils of, religious faith.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

At noon she would rush home and fix Chester some delicacy for lunch, like a midget fruit salad or an entire vegetable dinner so small you could serve it on a silver dollar.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden

Related Words

• elegance
• fragility
• lightness
• subtlety
• tenderness