delicacy
DEH-lih-kuh-see
Delicacy (noun) means a rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture. Example: “Caviar is considered a delicacy in many countries.”
noun
1
A rare or highly valued food, often specific to a culture.
"Caviar is considered a delicacy in many countries."
2
The quality of being delicate, fragile, or requiring careful handling.
"The delicacy of the negotiations required a tactful approach."
How to use delicacy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a prized, special kind of food, or the quality of being fragile or requiring tact.
Common pairings
a local delicacy
handle with delicacy
the delicacy of the situation
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Word forms
- Plural
- delicacies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Caviar is considered a _____ in many countries.
Etymology
This came into English as Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus; it is equivalent to delic(ate) + -acy.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for delicacy
See all rhymes for 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.
