indelicacy

[in-del-i-kuh-see]

noun

plural

indelicacies 

1. the quality or condition of being indelicate.

2. something indelicate, as language or behavior.

Word History and Origins

Origin of indelicacy¹

First recorded in 1705–15; in- ³ + delicacy

Example Sentences

“But there seems an indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her so soon after this event.”

From Literature

I was listening to them talk of quality and seasonability when the young perfumer, with all the indelicacy of a greenhorn, announced, “I have some oudh.”

From New York Times

Almost every interviewer he has faced has tried to lure him into some sort of indelicacy.

From The Guardian

But it would be a shame if the current call for respectful depictions ruled out an approach that can cleave the knot of the subject with splendid indelicacy.

From The Guardian

The lover knew Yolanda would not have wanted him to know about this indelicacy of her body.

From Literature