indelicate

[ in-del-i-kit ]

/ ɪnˈdɛl ɪ kɪt /

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See synonyms for: indelicate / indelicateness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

offensive to a sense of generally accepted propriety, modesty, or decency; improper, unrefined, or coarse: indelicate language.

not delicate; lacking delicacy; rough.

OTHER WORDS FOR indelicate

1 indecorous, untactful, gauche, rude.

See synonyms for indelicate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of indelicate

First recorded in 1735–45; in-³ + delicate

OTHER WORDS FROM indelicate

in·del·i·cate·ly, adverbin·del·i·cate·ness, noun

Words nearby indelicate

indehiscence, indehiscent, indeliberate, indelible, indelicacy, indelicate, in demand, indemnification, indemnify, indemnitee, indemnitor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use indelicate in a sentence

The incident started early on in the three-hour flight, when McGarity commenced his indelicate behavior, the filing alleges.
Southwest Passenger Arrested for Masturbating FOUR Times During Flight|Justin Rohrlich, Pilar Melendez|April 4, 2022|The Daily Beast
While claiming to understand “the indelicate nature” of the mass firing over Zoom, Compagno argued that the employees actually deserved to be terminated due to low productivity.
Fox News Host Cheers Better.com CEO’s Mass Zoom Firings: ‘I Love This So Much!’|Justin Baragona|December 8, 2021|The Daily Beast
Avoid lounging attitudes, they are indelicate, except in your own private apartment.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
"But no one would be indelicate enough to show a want of respect to their religious scruples," answered Harry.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng

There was nothing unwomanly in flowing hair, there was nothing indelicate.
The Beach of Dreams|H. De Vere Stacpoole
He dimly comprehended, too, that her presence was an indelicate intrusion, but her intentions were so good!
Sevenoaks|J. G. Holland
Such a demand, indelicate in its simplest form, had been further aggravated by a respectful but clear ultimatum.
Murder in Any Degree|Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for indelicate

indelicate

/ (ɪnˈdɛlɪkɪt) /

adjective

coarse, crude, or rough

offensive, embarrassing, or tasteless

Derived forms of indelicate

indelicacy or indelicateness, nounindelicately, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

indelicate

OTHER WORDS FOR indelicate

Origin of indelicate

OTHER WORDS FROM indelicate

Words nearby indelicate

Words related to indelicate

How to use indelicate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for indelicate

Derived forms of indelicate