exquisite

[ ik-skwiz-it, ek-skwi-zit ]

See synonyms for: exquisite exquisites exquisitely exquisiteness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of special beauty or charm, or rare and appealing excellence, as a face, a flower, coloring, music, or poetry.
extraordinarily fine or admirable; consummate: exquisite weather.

intense; acute, or keen, as pleasure or pain.
of rare excellence of production or execution, as works of art or workmanship: the exquisite statues of the Renaissance.
keenly or delicately sensitive or responsive: an exquisite ear for music; an exquisite sensibility.
of particular refinement or elegance, as taste, manners, etc., or persons.
carefully sought out, chosen, ascertained, devised, etc.

noun

Archaic. a person, especially a man, who is excessively concerned about clothes, grooming, etc.; dandy; coxcomb.

Origin of exquisite

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin exquīsītus “meticulous, chosen with care,” originally past participle of exquīrere “to ask about, examine,” equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + -quīrere , combining form of quaerere “to seek”

synonym study For exquisite

1. See delicate. 2. See fine¹

pronunciation note For exquisite

The pronunciation of exquisite has undergone a rapid change from

[ek-skwi-zit] /ˈɛk skwɪ zɪt/ to

[ik-skwiz-it], /ɪkˈskwɪz ɪt/, with stress shifting to the second syllable. The newer pronunciation is still criticized by some, but is now more common in both the U.S. and England, and many younger educated speakers are not even aware of the older one. See harass.

Other words for exquisite

1	dainty, beautiful, elegant
2	rare, matchless
3	poignant
4	select, choice, precious
6	discriminating

See synonyms for exquisite on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for exquisite

1	graceless, inelegant
2	ordinary
3	dull

See antonyms for exquisite on Thesaurus.com

Other words from exquisite

ex·quis·ite·ly, adverb
ex·quis·ite·ness, noun
o·ver·ex·quis·ite, adjective
su·per·ex·qui·site, adjective
su·per·ex·qui·site·ness, noun

Words Nearby exquisite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exquisite in a sentence

Han builds the tension in this story slowly, but he builds it with exquisite care, and it’s entirely worth the investment.
Simon Han’s ‘Nights When Nothing Happened’ is a poignant study of the immigrant experience | Ron Charles | November 30, 2020 | Washington Post
I craved the kind of exquisite views and deep solitude that only come from schlepping your stuff deep into the backcountry.
The Secret to Happy Family Camping Is a Canoe | Krista Langlois | October 15, 2020 | Outside Online
He’s been making sushi for a long time in his small, exquisite restaurant, which is inside a subway station in Tokyo.
10 delicious food movies | Alissa Wilkinson | September 25, 2020 | Vox
On the brand’s page, you will find exquisite user-generated travel images from all parts of the world, inspiring its potential and loyal customers.
How to plan your social media strategy for any business | Sumeet Anand | June 24, 2020 | Search Engine Watch
Still, the device represents a promising proof-of-concept that suggests that we may soon be able to replicate and even better one of nature’s most exquisite designs.
A New Bionic Eye Could Give Robots and the Blind 20/20 Vision | Edd Gent | May 22, 2020 | Singularity Hub

Welcome to the exquisite hell of being director of the Central Intelligence Agency today.
John Brennan’s Tortured Defense of the CIA’s Torture Program | Shane Harris | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Like many successful tailors, his attention to detail is exquisite.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way | Tom Teodorczuk | December 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
According to Wynd, “Freddie Mercury once said he wanted to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.”
Dodo Bones and Kylie’s Poo: Inside London’s Strangest New Museum | Liza Foreman | November 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
With its exquisite landscapes, birds-eye view and soothing cinematic music, Drone Boning makes sex look like art.
Anatomy of a Drone Porn: ‘Drone Boning’ Makes Sex Look Like Art | Aurora Snow | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
With exquisite timing, religious historian Karen Armstrong steps forth with Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence.
Karen Armstrong’s New Rule: Religion Isn’t Responsible for Violence | Patricia Pearson | October 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
At the same time he realised that she had never seemed so adorably lovely, so exquisite, so out of his reach.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
While the refined exquisite was giving his order, a jolly western drover had listened with opened mouth and protruding eyes.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
He saw Lettice and his cousin helping towards this exquisite deliverance somehow.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
Her exquisite, frail beauty held a strength that mocked the worship in his eyes and voice.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
The sides generally rather shallow, heads of exquisite form and well defined.
Violins and Violin Makers | Joseph Pearce

British Dictionary definitions for exquisite

exquisite

/ (ɪkˈskwɪzɪt, ˈɛkskwɪzɪt) /

adjective

possessing qualities of unusual delicacy and fine craftsmanship: jewels in an exquisite setting
extremely beautiful and pleasing: an exquisite face

outstanding or excellent: an exquisite victory
sensitive; discriminating: exquisite taste
fastidious and refined
intense or sharp in feeling: exquisite pleasure; exquisite pain

noun

obsolete a dandy

Origin of exquisite

C15: from Latin exquīsītus excellent, from exquīrere to search out, from quaerere to seek

Derived forms of exquisite

exquisitely, adverb
exquisiteness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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