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   Del·i·cate

   /ˈdeləkət/

   

   adjective

   • 1. very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality: "a spider's web, strong yet delicate" Similar fineexquisiteintricatedaintyairyelegantgracefulflimsygauzyfilmyfloatygossamerdiaphanouschiffonysilkywispythininsubstantialpaperyOpposite crudecoarse
   • ▪ (of a color or a scent) subtle and subdued: "delicate pastel shades" Similar subtlesoftsubduedmutedpastelpalelightOpposite boldvibrantlurid
   • ▪ (of food or drink) subtly and pleasantly flavored: "a delicate cream sauce"
   • 2. easily broken or damaged; fragile: "delicate china" Similar fragilebreakableeasily broken/damagedfrailfrangibleeggshellOpposite strongdurable
   • ▪ (of a person, animal, or plant) susceptible to illness or adverse conditions: "his delicate health" Similar sicklyin poor healthunhealthyvaletudinarianfrailfeebleweakweaklydebilitatedunwellinfirmailingpoorlyinformal:neshOpposite healthystrongrobust
   • ▪ (of a state or condition) easily upset or damaged: "owls have a delicate balance with their habitat"
   • 3. requiring sensitive or careful handling: "delicate negotiations" Similar difficulttrickysensitiveticklishawkwardproblematicproblematicaltouchypricklycontroversialemotiveembarrassinginformal:stickydiceyOpposite uncontroversial
   • ▪ (of a person or an action) tactful and considerate: "the most delicate tact was called for" Similar carefulconsideratesensitivetactfuldiplomaticdiscreetgentlekid-glovesoftly-softlyOpposite ineptclumsyinsensitive
   • ▪ skillful and finely judged; deft: "his delicate ball-playing skills" Similar deftdexterousskilledskillfulexpertfinely judgedadeptadroitneatslickinformal:niftyOpposite clumsyinept
   • ▪ (of an instrument) highly sensitive. Similar sensitiveprecisionpreciseaccurateexact

   noun

   • 1. a delicate fabric or garment made of such fabric: informal "the delicates cycle of a washing machine"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘delightful, charming’): from French délicat or Latin delicatus, of unknown origin. Senses also expressed in Middle English (now obsolete) include ‘voluptuous’, ‘self-indulgent’, ‘fastidious’, and ‘effeminate’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. delicateness noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

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2. People also ask

   What does it mean if something is delicate?

   • 1. Something that is delicate is small and beautifully shaped. [...] 2. Something that is delicate has a colour, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense. [...] 3. If something is delicate, it is easy to harm, damage, or break, and needs to be handled or treated carefully.

   DELICATE - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-word/delicate

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   What does delicateness mean?

   • del′i•cate•ness, n. 1. 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.

   delicate - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com/definition/delicate

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   What does delicate mean in medical terms?

   • (of a person) not strong and easily becoming ill His health had always been delicate. small and having a beautiful shape or appearance made or formed in a very careful and detailed way showing or needing careful or sensitive treatment I admired your delicate handling of the situation. The delicate surgical operation took five hours.

   delicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/delicate

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   What is a delicate taste?

   • She was a shy, delicately pretty girl with enormous blue eyes. Something that is delicate has a colour, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense . Young haricot beans have a tender texture and a delicate, subtle flavour. The colours are delicate and shimmering. ...a soup delicately flavoured with nutmeg.

   DELICATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/delicate

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3. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › delicateDELICATE definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › delicate

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   3 days ago · 1. adjective. Something that is delicate is small and beautifully shaped. He had delicate hands. delicately adverb [ADV adj/-ed] She was a shy, delicately pretty girl with enormous blue eyes. 2. adjective. Something that is delicate has a color, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › delicatedelicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › delicate

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   Definition of delicate adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. www.oed.com › dictionary › delicate_adjdelicate, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › delicate_adj

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   What does the word delicate mean? There are 32 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word delicate , 11 of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english-word › delicateDELICATE - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english-word › delicate

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   Definitions of 'delicate' 1. Something that is delicate is small and beautifully shaped. [...] 2. Something that is delicate has a colour, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense. [...] 3. If something is delicate, it is easy to harm, damage, or break, and needs to be handled or treated carefully. [...] More.

7. www.wordreference.com › definition › delicatedelicate - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com › definition › delicate

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   exquisite or refined in perception or feeling; sensitive. regardful of what is becoming, proper, etc.: a delicate sense of propriety. mindful of or sensitive to the feelings of others: a delicate refusal. dainty or choice, as food: delicate tidbits.

8. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › delicatesDelicates Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › delicates

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   1. : pleasing to the senses: a. : generally pleasant. the climate's delicate, the air most sweet William Shakespeare. b. : pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially in a mild or subtle way. a delicate aroma. a robust wine will dominate delicate dishes. c. : marked by daintiness or charm of color, lines, or proportions.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › delicatedelicate definition | Cambridge Essential American Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › delicate

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   Definition of delicate in Essential American English Dictionary. delicate. adjective. us / ˈdel·ɪ·kət/ easy to damage or break: a delicate shell. soft, light, or gentle: a delicate shade of pink. (Definition of delicate from the Webster's Essential Mini Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of delicate. in Chinese (Traditional)