Words / B2

ik-SKWIZ-it/ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/

Exquisite means extremely fine or beautiful, or (of pain) intense: exquisite craftsmanship; exquisite pain. Beautiful is weaker; fine is everyday. Restoration showed exquisite detail. Can sound over-the-top in a lab report. Do not use it as a synonym of expensive.

Meaning

Extremely beautiful or finely made; also intense (exquisite pain).

Examples

• “The restoration showed exquisite detail on the chapel ceiling.”
• “Patients described exquisite pain, which is the medical sense — not “lovely”.”

Good to know

exquisite + craftsmanship / timing / pain. Weaker: beautiful / fine. Register: arts writing; ironic in reviews. Not “exquisite fees”. Two senses — keep them apart.

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