Word
exquisite
Phoneticsex·quis·ite, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛkskwəzət/
UK/ɛkskwˈɪsɪt/
Definitions
01beautiful and delicate
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. extremely beautiful and made with great care or skill.
adj. characterised by intricate design, delicate craftsmanship, or rare aesthetic excellence.
“The museum displayed an exquisite gold necklace from ancient Egypt.”
“The artisan spent months on the exquisite embroidery, ensuring that every silk thread contributed to the overall harmony of the pattern.”
Usage
Often used to describe art, jewellery, or natural scenery.
Teaching tip
While 'beautiful' is common, 'exquisite' implies a level of detail and perfection that is rare.
02intense or sharp
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. used to describe a very strong feeling, such as great pleasure or sharp pain.
adj. of extreme intensity or sharpness; used to describe sensory or emotional experiences that are keenly felt.
“The music was so beautiful it caused her exquisite pleasure.”
“He suffered exquisite pain from the wound, yet he refused to let his captors see even a flicker of discomfort on his face.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'pain', 'pleasure', or 'agony'.
Teaching tip
This sense is almost exclusively found in literature and high-level creative writing.
03a dandy
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic
n. a man who is very interested in fashion and his own appearance.
n. a man who is overly concerned with his clothes and appearance; a fop or dandy.
“The young exquisite spent hours choosing the right silk tie for the ball.”
“The drawing room was filled with young exquisites, each attempting to outdo the other with the height of their collars and the shine of their boots.”
Usage
Used as a countable noun.
Teaching tip
This noun form is rarely used in modern English and is mostly found in 18th or 19th-century literature.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The question has preoccupied and divided archaeologists ever since the discovery of the exquisite red-and-black bison on the ceiling of the Altamira cave , in northern Spain, in 1879.” “I want to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.”
Austin first met Mercury when she was 19 and he was 24, while they were both working around Kensington’s Biba fashion scene.” Etymology
From Latin exquīsītus (“to be outsought”), perfect passive participle of exquīrō (“I outseek”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/exquisite