delicacy — a choice or expensive food item that is considered particularly nice to eat
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a choice or expensive food item that is considered particularly nice to eat
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɛlɪkəsi/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother's homemade kimchi is a delicacy that even Michelin chefs would envy.
- He ate the chocolate cake with the delicacy of a surgeon performing brain surgery.
- Discussing salary raises requires a certain delicacy - you can't just storm into your boss's office.
delicacy
NOUN[/ˈdɛlɪkəsi/]
a choice or expensive food item that is considered particularly nice to eat
The chef presents a rare delicacy: a single truffle on white porcelain.
Our policy creates a legacy of delicacy!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Delicacy derives from 14th-century Old French 'delicacie', which stems from Latin 'delicatus' meaning 'delicate' or 'luxurious'. The word originally denoted pleasure and luxury, gradually evolving to encompass the meanings of fine food and refinement.
Breakdown
delicatus (delicate, luxurious) + -cy (noun-forming suffix), where the Latin adjective becomes an abstract noun indicating the quality of being delicate or a delicate thing.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother's homemade kimchi is a delicacy that even Michelin chefs would envy.”
“He ate the chocolate cake with the delicacy of a surgeon performing brain surgery.”
“Discussing salary raises requires a certain delicacy - you can't just storm into your boss's office.”
“In some countries, insects are considered a delicacy, but I'll stick to pizza, thank you.”
“The delicacy of the spider's web amazed the young scientist.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.