delicacy

13 synonyms and 1 antonym 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.

treat

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

discretion diplomacy

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

finesse goody dainty fragility fineness kickshaw airiness daintiness slightness discreetness

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture.

“Caviar is considered a delicacy in many countries.”

treat discretion diplomacy finesse goody dainty fragility fineness kickshaw airiness daintiness slightness discreetness

2. noun

The quality of being delicate, fragile, or requiring careful handling.

“The delicacy of the negotiations required a tactful approach.”

Opposites

robustness

How to use delicacy

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a local delicacy handle with delicacy the delicacy of the situation

Etymology

This came into English as Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus; it is 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.

Related words

delicate delicatessen delicious delight

People also searched

treat discretion diplomacy finesse fineness robustness airiness kickshaw slightness dainty goody fragility

Nearby words

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