exquisite
ek-SKWIZ-it
/ˈɛk.skwɪ.zɪt/
Extremely beautiful and typically delicate; highly sensitive or discriminating.
Exquisite implies a beauty that is fragile, intricate, and crafted with supreme skill. It can also describe intense feelings (e.g., exquisite pain).
The story behind the word. Exquisite comes from the Latin 'exquisitus', meaning 'carefully sought out'. It is the past participle of 'exquirere' (from 'ex-' meaning out and 'quaerere' meaning to seek). Something exquisite was originally something so rare and fine that you had to search diligently to find it.
Word relationships
- delicate: Delicate means easily broken or fine, while exquisite adds a layer of intense, superior beauty and craftsmanship.
- superb: Superb means excellent or of the highest quality, but lacks the specific connotation of delicate, intricate beauty.
- crude: Crude means raw, unrefined, or poorly made, lacking any delicacy or skill.
- coarse: Coarse refers to rough textures or unrefined manners, the opposite of delicate refinement.
Commonly confused with
- requisite: Requisite means made necessary by particular circumstances, whereas exquisite means extremely beautiful and delicate.
Word family
- exquisitely (adverb): In an intensely beautiful or delicate manner.
- exquisiteness (noun): The quality of being exquisite.
Collocations
- exquisite detail
- exquisite taste
- exquisite craftsmanship
- exquisite pain
Example sentences
- "The museum displayed an exquisite collection of hand-painted porcelain from the Ming Dynasty." Describing a work of craftsmanship
- "The chef prepared a dessert that was an exquisite balance of sweet and tart flavors." Describing a sensory experience
Memory hook
Think of an 'exquisite' object as something so precious that an 'ex-queen' would 'seek' it out. Exquisite is delicately perfect.
When not to use
Do not use 'exquisite' for large, rugged, or robust forms of beauty. A mountain range is sublime, but a hand-carved lace fan is exquisite.
Fun facts
- In the 17th century, 'exquisite' was sometimes used to describe highly refined torture, referring to pain that was 'exquisitely' sharp and precise.
Related words
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