delicacy
Exquisite edible morsel
Delicacy covers a range of meanings unified by the idea of requiring careful handling.
A delicacy in food is something choice and often expensive, like caviar or truffles—treats not meant for everyday consumption.
The delicacy of a situation suggests it must be approached with tact and sensitivity.
Physical delicacy implies fragility or fineness: the delicacy of the lacework, the delicacy of her features.
Someone who handles matters with delicacy does so with care and discretion.
Cured fish eggs
- trufflePrized subterranean edible
- sashimiThinly sliced raw fish
- escargotEdible land snails
- oysterPearl-bearing edible mollusk
lobster · uni · quail · venison · pate · prosciutto · brie · burrata
Appetizing, not sweet
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- umamiFifth taste sensation
- mouthfeelOral texture perception
piquancy · luscious · mouth-watering · palatable · toothsome · flavorful · morsel · bite
Refined, graceful quality
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
nuance · exquisiteness · daintiness · cultivation · polish · tastefulness · discernment · aesthetics
Negotiation between nations
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
- tactfulnessSkill in sensitive situations
gentleness · prudence · decorum · savoir-faire · thoughtfulness · circumspection · respectfulness · judiciousness
Liable to shatter
- breakableCapable of shattering
- frailWeak and breakable
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- daintyDelicately small and pretty
gossamer · wispy · flimsy · diaphanous · ethereal · gauzy · filigree · featherlight
Connoisseur of sensual pleasures
- gastronomeCulinary connoisseur
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
charcuterie · artisanal · sommelier · farm-to-table · palate · gourmand · culinarian · omakase
caviar
Cured fish eggs
oyster · lobster · uni · quail · venison · pate · prosciutto · brie · burrata · tartare
savory
Appetizing, not sweet
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- umamiFifth taste sensation
mouthfeel · piquancy · luscious · mouth-watering · palatable · toothsome · flavorful · morsel · bite · nibble
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
subtlety · nuance · exquisiteness · daintiness · cultivation · polish · tastefulness · discernment · aesthetics · artistry
diplomacy
Negotiation between nations
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
tactfulness · gentleness · prudence · decorum · savoir-faire · thoughtfulness · circumspection · respectfulness · judiciousness · carefulness
brittle
Liable to shatter
dainty · gossamer · wispy · flimsy · diaphanous · ethereal · gauzy · filigree · featherlight · tenuous
epicurean
Connoisseur of sensual pleasures
- gastronomeCulinary connoisseur
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
amuse-bouche · charcuterie · artisanal · sommelier · farm-to-table · palate · gourmand · culinarian · omakase · terroir
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, tasting menu, degustation
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
- gentlenessgentleness, mildness, tenderness, softness, meekness
- gracegracefulness, elegance, poise, finesse, fluidity
- tendernesstenderness, gentle, gentleness, softness, soft
- vulnerabilityvulnerability, vulnerable, defenselessness, defenseless, helplessness
delicacycoarseness
Rough or vulgar quality
roughness · crudeness · crudity · inelegance · vulgarity
delicacyrobustness
Resistance to failure
sturdiness · hardiness · strength · durability · solidity
delicacytactlessness
Absence of social sensitivity
indelicacy · rudeness · insensitivity · crudeness · bluntness
- delicate balance
- delicate beauty
- delicate cycleMild laundering setting
- delicate washCareful laundering setting
- local delicaciesPlace-specific culinary specialties
- exotic delicacyUncommon prized food
delicate, indelicate, delicately, delicacies, delicateness, delicates, indelicacy, indelicately