delicacy

/ˈdelɪkəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdelɪkəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-li-kə-sē/ (ame, mw)

delicacy — 名詞

  • delicacysingular
  • delicaciesplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

珍饈；美味

罕見昂貴的美食

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

例句

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

在海邊小鎮，新鮮牡蠣被當作當地美食販售。

local delicacy — typical collocation for place-specific food

Heloísa brought back a rare delicacy made from wild truffles.

Heloísa 帶回了一道用野生松露製成的稀有珍饈。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • staple

    a basic, everyday food eaten regularly

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

謹慎；得體

顧及他人感受的分寸

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

例句

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

Christopher 以極大的謹慎提起這個敏感的話題，字字斟酌。

great delicacy — common intensifier + noun pattern

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

這個情況需要謹慎處理，於是 Anong 等到最適當的時機才開口。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • tactlessness

    behaviour that offends or upsets people without awareness

  • bluntness

    being too direct or honest without considering feelings

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

脆弱；纖細

容易受損的特性

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

例句

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

這件老蕾絲十分脆弱，Adina 必須小心手洗。

the delicacy of [object] — shows what is fragile

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

Dario 對蝴蝶翅膀的纖細感到驚嘆。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • sturdiness

    the quality of being strong and unlikely to break

  • toughness

    the quality of being able to withstand rough handling

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞C1
釋義

精細；細膩

細心精準的處理技巧

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

例句

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

腦部手術需要多年訓練才能達到的精細程度。

level of delicacy — measuring the degree of precision needed

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

Gabriela 以專業人士的細膩修復了這幅老畫。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • clumsiness

    awkward or careless movement that lacks control

  • roughness

    lack of gentleness or fine control in handling something

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞C1
釋義

奢華

昂貴精緻的享受

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

例句

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

這座宮殿提供了村民難以想像的奢華生活。

life of delicacy — pattern meaning luxurious lifestyle

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

Dahlia 的飯店套房是純粹奢華的天堂，配有絲質窗簾和大理石地板。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • frugality

    careful and economical use of money, avoiding luxury

  • austerity

    a plain and simple lifestyle without comforts or decoration

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

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