French word

délicatesse

Pronunciation

IPA/delikatɛs/

Meaning

  • feminine noundelicacy

Example

Elle parle avec délicatesse.

She speaks with delicacy.

Illustration for délicatesse (delicacy)

More examples

Il a manipulé le vase avec délicatesse.

He handled the vase with delicacy.

Core concept

Careful, graceful handling that avoids hurting someone while preserving elegance in conduct.

Common phrases

  • avec délicatesse

    with delicacy

  • faire preuve de délicatesse

    show delicacy

  • manquer de délicatesse

    lack delicacy

Similar words

tact: The ability to choose words and actions that respect others' feelings.
empathie: The ability to understand and share another person's feelings or perspective.
discrétion: Restraint and respect for other people's private matters.
douceur: A calm, gentle quality in manner or voice.

Definition in French

Désigne la sensibilité et le tact qui permettent d'agir pour ne pas blesser autrui, ainsi qu'une certaine élégance dans les manières.

Word origin

The noun délicatesse was formed from délicat with the French suffix -esse, and délicat ultimately comes from Latin delicatus.

Usage tips

  • English delicacy can refer to fine food or a weakness, whereas French délicatesse commonly concerns tact or elegance.

Other meanings

  • tactnoun
  • elegancenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word