4 syllables: De, li, ca, cies. Stress on De.
DEL-ik-uh-seez
/ˈdɛlɪkəsiz/
Delicacies is pronounced DEL-ik-uh-seez (/ˈdɛlɪkəsiz/). It has four syllables (De-li-ca-cies), with the stress on "De". Delicacies refers to rare or highly desirable foods, often prepared with exceptional skill. The term implies culinary refinement and treats that are considered special or luxurious. In everyday use, it can describe both specific dishes and generally appealing, high-quality foods that are savored for their taste and craftsmanship.
nounDelicacies refers to rare or highly desirable foods, often prepared with exceptional skill. The term implies culinary refinement and treats that are considered special or luxurious. In everyday use, it can describe both specific dishes and generally appealing, high-quality foods that are savored for their taste and craftsmanship.
- You often misplace the primary stress on the first syllable (“DEL-i-ca-sies”). Keep the stress on the third syllable: del-i-CA-cies. - The middle syllable /keɪ/ can be slurred if you’re not opening the jaw; ensure a clear diphthong /eɪ/. - Final -cies should be /siz/, not /siːz/ or /siəs/; avoid adding an extra vowel after z. - Don’t rush between syllables; maintain steady tempo to prevent running the words together. - Avoid pronouncing as “del-uh-KAY-sees” with a reduced third syllable; maintain full pronunciation of each segment. Practice by isolating each segment and then stringing them with a deliberate pace.
How to Pronounce Delicacies
"The chef presented a selection of delicate delicacies from coastal cuisine."
"At the banquet, the table overflowed with delicacies from around the world."
"She collects regional delicacies to share with friends during gatherings."
Pronounce as /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiːz/ (US: /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/). Emphasize the second syllable-stress on ‘keɪ-’, with the final ‘-cies’ sounding as /siz/ or /siːz/. Start with a light ‘d’ then ‘el’, stress the ‘kay’ in the third syllable, and finish with a clear /z/ plural. IPA guidance: US /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/, UK /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/, AU /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/.
Common errors: misplacing stress on the first syllable (de-), and mispronouncing the ‘ca-’ as /kaɪ/ or /keɪs/; also confusing the final -cies as /siːz/ instead of /siz/. Correction: place primary stress on the third syllable: del-i-CA-cies; pronounce -cies as /siz/ (not /siz-ɪz/). Use a crisp /d/ onset and ensure the /l/ is light but clear. Practice the transition between /keɪ/ and /siz/ for natural rhythm.
All three accents share /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/ with minor vowel adjustments: US uses a tighter /æ/ near /dɛl/; UK tends toward a slightly more rounded /ɪ/ in the first unstressed vowel; AU follows US patterns but with a more open front vowel in some speakers. Rhotics aren’t a factor here since /d/ and /l/ precede the stressed /keɪ/ and final /siz/. Overall vowel quality remains similar, but tempo and intonation can affect perceived stress.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure and the cluster transition between /d/–/ɛ/–/lɪ/ and /keɪ/; plus the final /siz/ requires crisp voicing and syllabic timing. The root ‘-ity’ becomes -ies in plural with a distinct /z/ voice, and the two short vowels in the first two syllables can lead to reduction. Focus on articulating the stressed /keɪ/ clearly while keeping a light, precise end consonant. IPA cues guide the tongue position transition.
Delicacies includes a three-consonant cluster after the vowel (/d-ɛ-l/ then /k/). The stress falls on the third syllable, making the /keɪ/ a prominent peak. The final -cies, pronounced as /siz/, can easily blur if you hurry; maintain crisp voicing and avoid linking into the next word. Practice with slow, deliberate articulation, then speed up while preserving the syllable boundary for natural flow.
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- US: rhotics are subtle here; keep /ɹ/ neutral, lips rounded slightly for /eɪ/. - UK: a touch more clipped final consonant; ensure non-rhoticity in nearby contexts doesn’t muddy /r/ expectations; the /eɪ/ remains prominent. - AU: similar to US but may display more open vowel qualities; keep the final /siz/ crisp with clear voicing. - All: maintain a clear separation between /keɪ/ and /siz/ to prevent blending. IPA references: US /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/, UK /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/, AU /ˌdɛlɪˈkeɪsiz/.
Delicacies comes from the plural of delicacy, which traces to the French delicatesse, from delicat ‘delicate, fine’ related to late Latin delicatus ‘delicate, pleasing, agreeable.’ The root is Latin delicatus, from delicare ‘to entice, to charm,’ ultimately from delicus ‘pleasant’ or delicare. In English, delicacy originally described fineness or refinement in behavior or dress, then extended to foods of rare quality. By late Middle English, delicacy started to denote refined comestibles, moving toward pluralizations like delicacies to describe various refined dishes or treats. Over time, the word shifted from singular to plural to express an assortment of such foods, often used in contexts praising luxury, culinary skill, or unusual ingredients. The concept of delicacy as tastefully prepared, scarce, and valuable remains central, retaining a sense of sophistication and exclusivity in modern usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Delicacies"
-ies sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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