exquisite
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.extremely beautiful and made with great care or skill.
adj.characterised by intricate design, delicate craftsmanship, or rare aesthetic excellence.
Simple“The museum displayed an exquisite gold necklace from ancient Egypt.”
In context“The 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.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The music was so beautiful it caused her exquisite pleasure.”
In context“He 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.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The young exquisite spent hours choosing the right silk tie for the ball.”
In context“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.”
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.
Synonymsdandyfop
“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.”
From Latin exquīsītus (“to be outsought”), perfect passive participle of exquīrō (“I outseek”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.