Cool MateDelicate vs It is exquisite
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delicate
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
It is exquisite
FormalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: It is exquisiteMost common: Delicate
| Delicate | It is exquisite | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdelɪkət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈskwɪzɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈskwɪzɪt// |
| Meaning | Easily broken or damaged; fragile. | It is very beautiful or well-made. |
| Example | The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. | The dress she wore was exquisite, catching everyone's eye at the gala. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very | exquisite taste, exquisite beauty, exquisite detail, exquisite craftsmanship, exquisite experience |
| Antonyms | sturdy, robust, strong | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'delicious' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using 'delicate' to describe something strong or resilient., Omitting context; remember 'delicate' usually refers to physical or emotional sensitivity. | Confused with 'exquisite' vs 'excellent'., Overusing 'exquisite' in everyday situations., Not using it to describe sensory experiences. |
| Usage notes | Use 'delicate' to describe things that require careful handling, like fine china or fragile emotions. It’s generally appropriate in a variety of contexts but avoid using it in overly casual speech. | Use 'exquisite' in formal contexts to describe art, food, or experiences. It's less suitable for casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delicate vs It is exquisite
What's the difference between Delicate and It is exquisite?
Delicate: Easily broken or damaged; fragile. It is exquisite: It is very beautiful or well-made.
Which is more formal: Delicate and It is exquisite?
It is exquisite is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Delicate and It is exquisite?
Delicate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Delicate: The delicate porcelain vase shattered when it fell from the shelf. It is exquisite: The dress she wore was exquisite, catching everyone's eye at the gala.
Can I use Delicate and It is exquisite interchangeably?
Not always. Delicate and It is exquisite are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.