exquisite

American  

[ik-skwiz-it, ek-skwi-zit] / ɪkˈskwɪz ɪt, ˈɛk skwɪ zɪt /

adjective

1. of special beauty or charm, or rare and appealing excellence, as a face, a flower, coloring, music, or poetry.

   Synonyms:

   elegant, beautiful, dainty

   Antonyms:

   inelegant, graceless

2. extraordinarily fine or admirable; consummate.

   exquisite weather.

   Synonyms:

   matchless, rare

   Antonyms:

   ordinary

3. intense; acute, or keen, as pleasure or pain.

   Synonyms:

   poignant

   Antonyms:

   dull

4. of rare excellence of production or execution, as works of art or workmanship.

   the exquisite statues of the Renaissance.

   Synonyms:

   precious, choice, select

5. keenly or delicately sensitive or responsive.

   an exquisite ear for music; an exquisite sensibility.

6. of particular refinement or elegance, as taste, manners, etc., or persons.

   Synonyms:

   discriminating

7. carefully sought out, chosen, ascertained, devised, etc.

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noun

1. Archaic. a person, especially a man, who is excessively concerned about clothes, grooming, etc.; dandy; coxcomb.

exquisite British  

/ ɪkˈskwɪzɪt, ˈɛkskwɪzɪt /

adjective

1. possessing qualities of unusual delicacy and fine craftsmanship

   jewels in an exquisite setting

2. extremely beautiful and pleasing

   an exquisite face

3. outstanding or excellent

   an exquisite victory

4. sensitive; discriminating

   exquisite taste

5. fastidious and refined

6. intense or sharp in feeling

   exquisite pleasure

   exquisite pain

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noun

1. obsolete a dandy

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of exquisite has undergone a rapid change from to , with stress shifting to the second syllable. The newer pronunciation is still criticized by some, but is now more common in both the U.S. and England, and many younger educated speakers are not even aware of the older one. See harass.

Related Words

See delicate. See fine ¹

Other Word Forms

• exquisitely adverb
• exquisiteness noun
• overexquisite adjective
• superexquisite adjective
• superexquisiteness noun

Etymology

Origin of exquisite

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin exquīsītus “meticulous, chosen with care,” originally past participle of exquīrere “to ask about, examine,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + -quīrere , combining form of quaerere “to seek”

Explanation

Use exquisite to mean finely or delicately made or done. When you say someone has exquisite taste, you mean that they are able to make fine distinctions. Exquisite describes something that is lovely, beautiful, or excellent. Exquisite pain or agony is very sharp and intense. Exquisite is from Middle English exquisit, from Latin exquisitus, from exquirere "to search out."

Example Sentences

“There has been support from the DoW to increase production and delivery of exquisite weapons systems, but going forward we expect new-entrants and affordable systems to be prioritized.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Her vocal stacks and counter-melodies are full of intricate detail; and her phrasing is exquisite, even on the jazz numbers where lesser pop singers would come unstuck.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“Completed in 2019 and designed by Don Ziebell, it is a masterwork combining subtle finishes and exquisite details.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

He whispered in the ears of the powerful, strode the battlefield like a god of war and ultimately embodied both of those extremes in performances of exquisite complexity.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Pamela should see him transcribing names with such exquisite care, like he’s cutting a diamond.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• admirable
• charming
• delicate
• delicious
• elegant
• ethereal
• impeccable
• lovely
• meticulous
• perfect
• polished
• precise
• rare
• refined
• splendid
• striking
• subtle
• superb