exquisite

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

adjective

1. of special beauty or charm, or rare and appealing excellence, as a face, a flower, coloring, music, or poetry.

   Synonyms: elegant, beautiful, dainty

   Antonyms: inelegant, graceless

2. extraordinarily fine or admirable; consummate:

   exquisite weather.

   Synonyms: matchless, rare

   Antonyms: ordinary

3. intense; acute, or keen, as pleasure or pain.

   Synonyms: poignant

   Antonyms: dull

4. of rare excellence of production or execution, as works of art or workmanship:

   the exquisite statues of the Renaissance.

   Synonyms: precious, choice, select

5. keenly or delicately sensitive or responsive:

   an exquisite ear for music; an exquisite sensibility.

6. of particular refinement or elegance, as taste, manners, etc., or persons.

   Synonyms: discriminating

7. carefully sought out, chosen, ascertained, devised, etc.

noun

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

exquisite

/ ɪkˈskwɪzɪt; ˈɛkskwɪzɪt /

adjective

1. possessing qualities of unusual delicacy and fine craftsmanship

   jewels in an exquisite setting

2. extremely beautiful and pleasing

   an exquisite face

3. outstanding or excellent

   an exquisite victory

4. sensitive; discriminating

   exquisite taste

5. fastidious and refined
6. intense or sharp in feeling

   exquisite pleasure

   exquisite pain

noun

1. obsolete.
   a dandy

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of exquisite has undergone a rapid change from [ek, -skwi-zit] to [ik-, skwiz, -it], 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.

Derived Forms

• exˈquisiteness, noun
• exˈquisitely, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exquisite¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of exquisite¹

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

Synonym Study

See delicate. See fine ¹

Example Sentences

Back in BP, the Calder Quartet brought exquisite warmth to the sunny, slippery melodic lines in Missy Mazzoli’s “Death Valley Junction.”

From Los Angeles Times

Leonardo had done such sorts of composition before, most notably in the exquisite “Lady With an Ermine,” a portrait of the Duke of Milan’s beautiful 16-year-old mistress.

From Los Angeles Times

"He is very deserving of this exquisite monument. The greatest president I've ever had. You will be missed by Ghanaians," one person posted, adding that Akufo-Addo was the "founder of Ghana's free education system".

From BBC

Wolvaardt timed the ball beautifully from the outset with her trademark exquisite cover drives but Bosch's knock was a spectacle.

From BBC

There are few cinematic experiences as exquisite as watching Scott Thomas face off with Oldman.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admirable
• charming
• delicate
• delicious
• elegant
• ethereal
• impeccable
• lovely
• meticulous
• perfect
• polished
• precise
• rare
• refined
• splendid
• striking
• subtle
• superb