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1. Dictionary

   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. 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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › delicate

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   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) 易受損壞的, 脆弱的, 嬌嫩的… See more. in Chinese (Simplified) 易受损坏的, 脆弱的, 娇嫩的… See more.

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

   www.wordreference.com › definition › delicate

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   fine or precise in action or execution; capable of responding to the slightest influence: a delicate instrument. requiring great care, caution, or tact: a delicate international situation. distinguishing subtle differences: a delicate eye; a delicate sense of smell. exquisite or refined in perception or feeling; sensitive.

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

   www.oed.com › dictionary › delicate_adj

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   delicate adjective & noun. Factsheet. Etymology. Meaning & use. Pronunciation. Forms. Frequency. Compounds & derived words. Factsheet. 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. dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › delicateDELICATE - 126 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

   dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › delicate

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   delicate. Thesaurus > easily broken > delicate. These are words and phrases related to delicate. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of delicate. EASILY BROKEN. The plant has delicate white flowers. Synonyms and examples. breakable.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › more delicateDELICATE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › more delicate

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   easily broken or damaged; physically weak; fragile; frail: delicate porcelain; a delicate child.

8. www.wordsmyth.netdelicate | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   definition 4: of a weak or sickly nature. He had always been a delicate child and frequently had to be taken to the hospital. synonyms: frail, tender. antonyms: hardy, healthy, robust, strong, tough. similar words: ailing, feeble, flimsy, sickly, weak.