delicacy

delicacy — noun

1. Any food that people treat as special, unusual, or costly — often one linked to

1.nounB1
Definition

Any food that people treat as special, unusual, or costly — often one linked to a particular region or celebration.

Example

In coastal towns, fresh oysters are sold as a local delicacy.

local delicacy — typical collocation for place-specific food

Heloísa brought back a rare delicacy made from wild truffles.

Common collocations
  • local delicacy
  • rare delicacy
  • culinary delicacy
  • traditional delicacy
  • considered a delicacy
Synonyms
  • treat

    less formal, does not imply rarity or expense — any enjoyable food or drink

  • specialty

    focuses on what a place or person is known for, not necessarily expensive

  • luxury food

    emphasises high cost and indulgence rather than cultural tradition

Antonyms
  • staple

    a basic, everyday food eaten regularly

Common Mistakes

I ordered a delicacy food.
I ordered a delicacy.
Delicacy already means 'special food'; adding 'food' is redundant.
The delicacy of the cake was amazing.' (when meaning taste)
The cake was a true delicacy.' or 'The cake was delicious.
Delicacy refers to the type of food, not the taste.

2. careful and sensitive behavior in a situation where people's feelings might be h

2.nounB2
Definition

careful and sensitive behavior in a situation where people's feelings might be hurt or where the topic could cause embarrassment.

Example

Christopher brought up the sensitive topic with great delicacy, choosing every word.

great delicacy — common intensifier + noun pattern

The situation called for delicacy, so Anong waited for the right moment to speak.

Common collocations
  • great delicacy
  • require delicacy
  • call for delicacy
  • handle with delicacy
  • show delicacy
Synonyms
  • tact

    the most direct synonym; a common noun for handling sensitive situations skilfully

  • discretion

    emphasises keeping things private or avoiding public embarrassment

  • diplomacy

    more formal; often used in professional or political contexts

  • sensitivity

    focuses on being aware of others' feelings rather than acting on that awareness

Antonyms
  • tactlessness

    behaviour that offends or upsets people without awareness

  • bluntness

    being too direct or honest without considering feelings

Usage Note

Uncountable. Frequently used with verbs such as 'require', 'call for', 'show', 'handle with'. The object of the delicacy is a sensitive topic or social situation, not a physical object.

Common Mistakes

She has a delicacy in talking about money.
She talks about money with great delicacy.
Delicacy as an abstract quality is uncountable and often used with 'with'.

3. How easily something can be broken or harmed, especially when it is thin, old, o

3.nounB2
Definition

How easily something can be broken or harmed, especially when it is thin, old, or finely made.

Example

The delicacy of the old lace meant Adina had to hand-wash it carefully.

the delicacy of [object] — shows what is fragile

Dario was amazed by the delicacy of the butterfly's patterned wings.

Common collocations
  • delicacy of the [object]
  • physical delicacy
  • structural delicacy
  • surprising delicacy
Synonyms
  • fragility

    more common in everyday speech for physical objects; direct synonym

  • frailty

    often used for people or living things rather than objects

  • vulnerability

    broader; includes emotional or systemic weakness, not just physical

Antonyms
  • sturdiness

    the quality of being strong and unlikely to break

  • toughness

    the quality of being able to withstand rough handling

Usage Note

Uncountable. Often used to explain why something needs special treatment. Can apply to physical objects, living things, or abstract systems (e.g., the delicacy of a peace agreement). Distinguish from sense 2 (TACTFULNESS) — this sense is about physical or structural vulnerability, not interpersonal sensitivity.

Common Mistakes

The glass is delicacy.
The glass has great delicacy.' or 'The glass is delicate.
Delicacy is a noun, not an adjective. Use 'delicate' as the adjective form.

4. The care and gentle skill with which a task is performed, especially one that ne

4.nounC1
Definition

The care and gentle skill with which a task is performed, especially one that needs fine control.

Example

Brain surgery requires a level of delicacy that takes many years to develop.

level of delicacy — measuring the degree of precision needed

Gabriela restored the old painting with the delicacy of a trained professional.

Common collocations
  • great delicacy
  • remarkable delicacy
  • technical delicacy
  • delicacy of touch
  • delicacy needed for
Synonyms
  • precision

    more technical and measurable; focuses on accuracy rather than gentleness

  • finesse

    emphasises skillful and elegant handling, especially in a difficult task

  • subtlety

    highlights fine distinctions and understated quality rather than careful action

Antonyms
  • clumsiness

    awkward or careless movement that lacks control

  • roughness

    lack of gentleness or fine control in handling something

Usage Note

Uncountable. Unlike sense 2 (TACTFULNESS), this sense applies to manual, artistic, or technical skill rather than social situations. Often found in descriptions of craftsmanship, surgery, music, or restoration work.

Common Mistakes

He plays piano with a delicacy.
He plays piano with great delicacy.
Uncountable; no article when used abstractly.
The delicacy of her work is very precise.
Her work shows great precision and delicacy.
Delicacy is the quality itself, not something separate from precision.

5. a state or quality of being luxurious, involving expensive and beautiful surroun

5.nounC1
Definition

a state or quality of being luxurious, involving expensive and beautiful surroundings or self-indulgent pleasure.

Example

The palace offered a life of delicacy that the villagers could hardly imagine.

life of delicacy — pattern meaning luxurious lifestyle

Dahlia's hotel suite was a haven of pure delicacy, with silk curtains and marble floors.

Common collocations
  • life of delicacy
  • a certain delicacy
  • surrounded by delicacy
Synonyms
  • luxury

    far more common in modern English; the direct everyday word for expensive comfort

  • opulence

    emphasises great wealth and rich decoration; more formal

  • indulgence

    focuses on the act of allowing oneself pleasure, not necessarily surroundings

Antonyms
  • frugality

    careful and economical use of money, avoiding luxury

  • austerity

    a plain and simple lifestyle without comforts or decoration

Usage Note

Uncountable. This sense overlaps partially with sense 4 (PRECISION) but focuses on lavishness and expense rather than skill. Less common in modern usage; 'luxury' is far more frequent.

Common Mistakes

They stayed in a delicacy hotel.
They stayed in a luxury hotel.
Delicacy is not an adjective. Use 'luxury' or 'deluxe' as modifiers.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe handling situations without causing offense, but they differ in emphasis. Tact is the most direct synonym for delicacy — it means saying or doing the right thing in a sensitive moment. Discretion focuses on keeping things private and avoiding public embarrassment; a discreet person knows what not to say. Diplomacy is more formal and often used in professional or political contexts, suggesting skill in managing relationships between different parties. Sensitivity emphasises emotional awareness — being tuned in to how others might feel — but does not necessarily imply the skilled action that delicacy and tact do. For example: 'She showed great tact by praising both team leaders.' 'He used discretion and did not mention the layoffs at dinner.' 'The mediator's diplomacy kept the talks on track.'

tactdiscretion ↗diplomacy ↗sensitivity ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • with great delicacy
  • a certain delicacy
  • level of delicacy
  • the delicacy of the situation

Prepositions

  • delicacy of
  • with delicacy

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Delicacy entered English from Middle French 'délicatesse', which came from Latin 'delicatus' meaning 'giving pleasure, dainty, or luxurious'. The original sense was about refined pleasure and luxury. Over time the meaning expanded to include the idea of fine or fragile quality (something so refined it is easily damaged), and later to social sensitivity (careful behaviour in delicate situations).