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delicate

/ˈdɛl.ɪ.kɪt/adjective3 syllables

Delicate means: exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury.

Synonyms for delicate22

adjective, as in exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

dainty, exquisite, ethereal, gossamer, fragile, light-handed, overdelicate, pastel, tender, breakable, frail, weak

adjective, as in difficult to handle; requiring great tact

ticklish, touchy, difficult, hard

adjective, as in easily broken or damaged or destroyed

fragile, frail, breakable

adjective, as in easily hurt

soft, tender, untoughened

adjective, as in developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety

finespun, refined

adjective, as in marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique

skilled

adjective, as in of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely

sensitive

Opposites of delicate

rugged

What does delicate mean?7

adjective

1

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury“a delicate violin passage”

2

difficult to handle; requiring great tact“delicate negotiations with the big powers”

3

easily broken or damaged or destroyed“a kite too delicate to fly safely”

4

easily hurt“soft hands”

5

developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety“the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense”

6

marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique“a surgeon's delicate touch”

7

of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely“almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Delicate in a sentence

  • Lawrence, the younger, had been a delicate youth.Hybrid
  • Indeed she is young and beautiful, but she is in delicate health.auxitt
  • The wolf ate a big piece of chalk, and its voice became more delicate.mailohilohi
  • It is still a delicate and very fresh creation, requiring our full care.AlanF_US
  • The robotic hands are designed to be dexterous, soft and delicate like people.CM
  • Jamin's porcelain complexion has a delicate glow, reflecting her impeccable skincare routine.Amastan
  • When he was child, he was in delicate health.magnificentgoddess
  • Please don't eat or drink near the computer, it's delicate.Amastan

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.