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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Delicacy

ˈdɛləkəsi
Common
~ 4600
~ 4600, Common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Exquisite or fine quality of being delicate, especially in food, Something pleasing, refined, or considered luxurious, Sensitivity or fragility in handling or discussing a subject

Delicacy - Meanings

Exquisite or fine quality of being delicate, especially in food

Example: The sushi chef prepared a plate of delicate sashimi, a true delicacy.
Usage: formalContext: culinary settings, fine dining
Note: Refers to food that is considered rare, expensive, or requiring skillful preparation.

Something pleasing, refined, or considered luxurious

Example: The antique vase was a delicacy that added elegance to the room.
Usage: formalContext: decor, art, fashion
Note: Can refer to items or experiences that are considered elegant or sophisticated.

Sensitivity or fragility in handling or discussing a subject

Example: She spoke with delicacy about the sensitive topic, careful not to offend anyone.
Usage: formalContext: communication, diplomacy
Note: Used when navigating sensitive or controversial topics with care and tact.

Delicacy's synonyms

delight

Delight refers to something that brings great pleasure and enjoyment.
Example: The dessert was a true delight with its rich flavors and delicate presentation.
Note: While delicacy often refers to a food item, delight can be used more broadly to describe anything that brings joy or happiness.

treat

A treat is something that is enjoyable or indulgent, often given as a reward or special gift.
Example: She brought a box of chocolates as a special treat for the guests.
Note: While delicacy specifically refers to a food item, treat can refer to any enjoyable or special item or experience.

luxury

Luxury refers to something that is expensive, high-quality, and indulgent, often associated with comfort and elegance.
Example: The hotel offers guests a range of luxurious delicacies from around the world.
Note: While delicacy can refer to a specific type of food, luxury is a broader term that encompasses high-quality and indulgent items or experiences.

Delicacy expressions, common phrases

Delicate situation

This phrase refers to a situation that is sensitive or easily damaged if handled wrongly.
Example: She found herself in a delicate situation when her boss asked her about the missing report.
Note: The phrase 'delicate situation' emphasizes the sensitivity or precarious nature of the situation rather than the refined or rare quality associated with a delicacy.

Handle with care

This idiom means to treat something delicately or cautiously to avoid damaging it.
Example: The antique vase is very fragile, so please handle it with care.
Note: While 'handle with care' conveys the need for delicacy in handling, it focuses more on caution and carefulness rather than the luxurious or rare quality of a delicacy.

Tread lightly

To tread lightly means to proceed cautiously and carefully in a situation.
Example: When discussing politics with friends, it's best to tread lightly to avoid conflicts.
Note: Similar to 'handle with care,' this phrase emphasizes the need for caution and sensitivity rather than the luxurious connotations of a delicacy.

Subtle touch

Refers to a delicate or nuanced approach to adding or incorporating something.
Example: The artist's painting had a subtle touch of color that brought the whole piece together.
Note: The term 'subtle touch' highlights the gentle and understated manner in which something is done, rather than the rare or expensive quality associated with a delicacy.

Gentle persuasion

This phrase means to influence or convince someone in a subtle, kind, or polite manner.
Example: She used gentle persuasion to convince her parents to let her go on the trip.
Note: While 'gentle persuasion' involves a delicate and tactful approach to convincing someone, it focuses more on the manner of persuasion rather than the high value or quality of a delicacy.

Nuanced flavor

Refers to a subtle and complex taste or flavor that is not easily identifiable.
Example: The chef's signature dish had a nuanced flavor that delighted the diners.
Note: The term 'nuanced flavor' highlights the intricate and subtle nature of a flavor profile, rather than the luxurious or rare quality associated with a delicacy.

Handle with kid gloves

To handle something with extreme care and delicacy, as if wearing gloves made of soft, delicate kid leather.
Example: He handles his prized possessions with kid gloves to ensure they don't get damaged.
Note: This idiom intensifies the need for delicate handling by comparing it to the softness and fragility of kid gloves, emphasizing extreme caution rather than the rarity or refinement of a delicacy.

Delicacy everyday (slang) expressions

Goodie

In informal contexts, 'goodie' is used to refer to something tasty or enjoyable, especially food or treats.
Example: I brought some goodies for the potluck dinner.
Note: Unlike 'delicacy', 'goodie' is a more casual and colloquial term often associated with simple and enjoyable treats rather than high-end or gourmet food.

Gem

When something is called a 'gem', it means that it is outstanding, valuable, or a treasure.
Example: This caviar pie is a real gem at the party.
Note: While 'gem' can suggest something precious, valuable, or exceptional like a delicacy, it may be used more broadly in various contexts beyond food.

Yummy

'Yummy' is a casual term used to describe food that is delicious, tasty, or appetizing.
Example: The chef's signature dessert is absolutely yummy!
Note: Unlike 'delicacy', 'yummy' specifically emphasizes the taste and pleasure derived from food, without focusing on the rarity or sophistication often associated with delicacies.

Gourmet

'Gourmet' refers to high-quality, refined, and often elaborate culinary preparations suitable for connoisseurs.
Example: This restaurant offers a selection of gourmet dishes for discerning diners.
Note: While 'gourmet' shares the idea of sophisticated and high-quality food like delicacies, it is a term more commonly associated with upscale or refined cuisine rather than delicate or fragile food items.

Tasty morsel

A 'tasty morsel' refers to a small but delicious portion of food, often considered a delicacy or a luxury.
Example: Try this delightful morsel of foie gras - it's a real treat.
Note: Compared to 'delicacy', 'tasty morsel' emphasizes the small portion size and the delectable taste, highlighting the enjoyment rather than the rarity or specialness of the food.

Gastronomic delight

A 'gastronomic delight' refers to an exceptional culinary experience that is immensely pleasing to the senses.
Example: The food critic described the truffle risotto as a true gastronomic delight.
Note: While 'gastronomic delight' conveys the idea of an exquisite culinary experience like a delicacy, it often encompasses a broader range of food experiences that evoke intense satisfaction beyond just the concept of fragility or rarity.

Delicacy - Examples

English sentence
English sentence
English sentence

Delicacy grammar

Delicacy - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: delicacy
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): delicacies, delicacy
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): delicacy
Syllabification and Stress
delicacy Contains 4 syllables: del • i • ca • cy
Phonetic transcription: ˈde-li-kə-sē
del i ca cy , ˈde li kə sē (The red syllable is stressed)

Delicacy - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
delicacy: ~ 4600 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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