delicacy
13 synonyms and 0 antonyms for delicacy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use delicacy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus. Equivalent to delic(ate) + -acy.
Full origin of delicacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “delicacy” mean?
The word “delicacy” means a rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture. In plain terms, either a prized, special kind of food, or the quality of being fragile or requiring tact.
How do you pronounce “delicacy”?
“Delicacy” is pronounced DEH-lih-kuh-see (/ˈdɛlɪkəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “delicacy” in a sentence?
Here is “delicacy” used in a sentence: “Caviar is considered a delicacy in many countries.”
What part of speech is “delicacy”?
“Delicacy” is a noun.
Is “delicacy” a common word?
“Delicacy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “delicacy” have?
“Delicacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture.