Delicacy: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to a type of food that is considered rare, expensive, or distinctly fine in taste. Often used for culturally significant or special-occasion dishes.

• Caviar is considered a delicacy in many countries.
• The restaurant specializes in regional delicacies.

Use to describe food that is of high quality, beautifully prepared, and usually more expensive. It often refers to food that is part of upscale dining experiences.

• She only buys gourmet food from specialized stores.
• The chef prepared an exquisite gourmet meal for us.

Use to describe food items that are lavish, often associated with wealth and high status. It emphasizes the expense and exclusivity of the food.

• The event featured luxury foods like truffles and champagne.
• He has a taste for luxury foods that most people can't afford.

Use when referring to a food item that is enjoyed occasionally, often as a reward or pleasure. It can be something simple and doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or rare.

• After a long week, she decided to have a chocolate cake as a treat.
• He considers ice cream a special treat after his workouts.

Used to describe something that is rare, special, or luxurious, often in the context of food or refined taste.

• The restaurant is known for its seafood delicacies.
• He appreciated the delicacy of the vintage wine.

Refers to the quality of being easily broken, damaged, or vulnerable. Often used to describe physical objects or emotional states.

• The fragility of the glass vase made it difficult to transport.
• Her emotional fragility was evident after the loss.

Can pertain to emotional awareness or the ability to detect or respond to small changes. It can be positive or negative depending on the context.

• Her sensitivity to others' feelings made her a great counselor.
• His skin's sensitivity required a special type of lotion.

Describes accuracy and exactness, often in tasks that require careful attention to detail.

• The engineer’s precision in measurements ensured the success of the project.
• Surgical procedures require a high degree of precision.