Delicate

/ˈdɛl.ɪ.kət/ · adjective

Meaning

Easily damaged or requiring careful handling..

Definitions by Sense

1. Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.
2. Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.
3. Intended for use with fragile items.
4. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.
5. Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.
6. (informal) Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.
7. (obsolete) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.
8. Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.

Example Sentences

Those clothes are made from delicate lace.

The negotiations were very delicate.

There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.

Indeed, the frosty god conspired with it for our delight; building crystal bridges, with tracery of lace delicater than Valenciennes, and spangled string-pieces, and fretted vaultings, whimsical sierras, stalactite and stalagmite.

The final vote between Hollande and Sarkozy now depends on a delicate balance of how France's total of rightwing and leftwing voters line up.

Her face was delicate.

The spider wove a delicate web.

There was a delicate pattern of frost on the window.

Synonyms for delicate

Antonyms for delicate

Related Words

Word Forms

• more delicate
• delicater
• most delicate
• delicatest
• delicates

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions