How to pronounce delicacy
Say it like DEL-uh-kuh-see. Delicacy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce delicacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEL
- uh
- kuh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Delicacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of delicacy
American and British speakers say delicacy in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛləkəsi/ in the US and /ˈdɛlɪkəsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEL-ih-kuh-see.
What does delicacy mean?
- The quality of being delicate.
- Something appealing, usually a pleasing food, especially a choice dish of a certain culture suggesting rarity and refinement.“a Chinese delicacy”
- Fineness or elegance of construction or appearance.
Where does delicacy come from?
From Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying delicacy
How do you pronounce delicacy?
Say DEL-uh-kuh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛləkəsi/. In British English it is /ˈdɛlɪkəsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in delicacy?
Delicacy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEL). Broken into parts: DEL · uh · kuh · see.
Do Americans and Brits say delicacy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛləkəsi/ and the British form is /ˈdɛlɪkəsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.