delicate

[del-i-kit]

adjective

1. fine in texture, quality, construction, etc..

   a delicate lace collar.

   Antonyms: coarse

2. easily broken or damaged; physically weak; fragile; frail.

   delicate porcelain;

   a delicate child.

   Synonyms: tender, slight, feeble, weak, frangible, flimsy, brittle

3. so fine as to be scarcely perceptible; subtle.

   a delicate flavor.

   Antonyms: strong, robust

4. soft or faint, as color.

   a delicate shade of pink.

5. fine or precise in action or execution; capable of responding to the slightest influence.

   a delicate instrument.

   Synonyms: true, accurate, precise, exact

6. requiring great care, caution, or tact.

   a delicate international situation.

   Synonyms: touchy, sensitive, tricky

7. distinguishing subtle differences: a delicate sense of smell.

   a delicate eye;

   a delicate sense of smell.

   Synonyms: perceptive, discriminating, discerning

8. exquisite or refined in perception or feeling; sensitive.

9. regardful of what is becoming, proper, etc..

   a delicate sense of propriety.

10. mindful of or sensitive to the feelings of others.

    a delicate refusal.

11. dainty or choice, as food.

    delicate tidbits.

12. primly fastidious; squeamish.

    not a movie for the delicate viewer.

13. Obsolete.,  sensuous; voluptuous.

noun

1. Archaic.,  a choice food; delicacy.

2. Obsolete.,  a source of pleasure; luxury.

delicate

/ ˈdɛlɪkɪt /

adjective

1. exquisite, fine, or subtle in quality, character, construction, etc

2. having a soft or fragile beauty

3. (of colour, tone, taste, etc) pleasantly subtle, soft, or faint

4. easily damaged or injured; lacking robustness, esp in health; fragile

5. precise, skilled, or sensitive in action or operation

   a delicate mechanism

6. requiring tact and diplomacy

7. sensitive in feeling or manner; showing regard for the feelings of others

8. excessively refined; squeamish

noun

1. archaic,  a delicacy; dainty

Other Word Forms

• delicately adverb
• delicateness noun
• hyperdelicate adjective
• hyperdelicateness noun
• nondelicate adjective
• nondelicateness noun
• quasi-delicate adjective
• superdelicate adjective
• superdelicateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of delicate¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English delicat, from Latin dēlicātus “delightful, dainty”; akin to delicious

Word History and Origins

Origin of delicate¹

C14: from Latin dēlicātus affording pleasure, from dēliciae (pl) delight, pleasure; see _delicious

Synonym Study

Delicate, dainty, exquisite imply beauty such as belongs to rich surroundings or which needs careful treatment. Delicate, used of an object, suggests fragility, small size, and often very fine workmanship: a delicate piece of carving. Dainty, in concrete references, suggests a smallness, gracefulness, and beauty that forbid rough handling: a dainty handkerchief; of persons, it refers to fastidious sensibilities: dainty in eating habits. Exquisite suggests an outstanding beauty and elegance, or a discriminating sensitivity and ability to perceive fine distinctions: an exquisite sense of humor.

Example Sentences

For years, the U.K. has been engaged in a delicate dance over how to officially label China.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The remark carries a delicate wisp of rueful irony.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The decision comes at a delicate moment for the Thai economy.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Companies are engaging in delicate government-affairs activity to navigate the situation.

Read more on Barron's

“Family Meal” succeeds in walking that delicate line throughout its three-hour experience, ultimately prompting us to more closely consider the character of our food.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delicious 
• delightful 
• elegant 
• exquisite 
• fragile 
• gentle 
• graceful 
• mild 
• rare 
• soft 
• subtle 
• tender