exquisite
adj. · n.-
1 beautiful and delicate (adj.) C1 Advanced Formal Literaryextremely beautiful and made with great care or skill.
characterised by intricate design, delicate craftsmanship, or rare aesthetic excellence.
ExampleThe museum displayed an exquisite gold necklace from ancient Egypt.
ExampleThe artisan spent months on the exquisite embroidery, ensuring that every silk thread contributed to the overall harmony of the pattern.
UsageOften used to describe art, jewellery, or natural scenery.
Teacher's tipWhile 'beautiful' is common, 'exquisite' implies a level of detail and perfection that is rare.
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2 intense or sharp (adj.) C2 Proficiency Literaryused to describe a very strong feeling, such as great pleasure or sharp pain.
of extreme intensity or sharpness; used to describe sensory or emotional experiences that are keenly felt.
ExampleThe music was so beautiful it caused her exquisite pleasure.
ExampleHe suffered exquisite pain from the wound, yet he refused to let his captors see even a flicker of discomfort on his face.
UsageCommonly collocates with 'pain', 'pleasure', or 'agony'.
Teacher's tipThis sense is almost exclusively found in literature and high-level creative writing.
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3 a dandy (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaica man who is very interested in fashion and his own appearance.
a man who is overly concerned with his clothes and appearance; a fop or dandy.
ExampleThe young exquisite spent hours choosing the right silk tie for the ball.
ExampleThe 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.
UsageUsed as a countable noun.
Teacher's tipThis noun form is rarely used in modern English and is mostly found in 18th or 19th-century literature.
- dandy
- fop
From Latin exquīsītus (“to be outsought”), perfect passive participle of exquīrō (“I outseek”).
- Adjectiveexquisite
- Adverbexquisitely