View synonyms for delicate

delicate

[del-i-kit]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

fine in texture, quality, construction, etc..
a delicate lace collar.
Antonyms: coarse
easily broken or damaged; physically weak; fragile; frail.
delicate porcelain;
a delicate child.
Synonyms: tender, slight, feeble, weak, frangible, flimsy, brittle
so fine as to be scarcely perceptible; subtle.
a delicate flavor.
Antonyms: strong, robust
soft or faint, as color.
a delicate shade of pink.
fine or precise in action or execution; capable of responding to the slightest influence.
a delicate instrument.
Synonyms: true, accurate, precise, exact
requiring great care, caution, or tact.
a delicate international situation.
Synonyms: touchy, sensitive, tricky
distinguishing subtle differences: a delicate sense of smell.
a delicate eye;
a delicate sense of smell.
Synonyms: perceptive, discriminating, discerning
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.
primly fastidious; squeamish.
not a movie for the delicate viewer.
Obsolete., sensuous; voluptuous.

noun

Archaic., a choice food; delicacy.
Obsolete., a source of pleasure; luxury.

delicate

/ ˈdɛlɪkɪt /

adjective

exquisite, fine, or subtle in quality, character, construction, etc
having a soft or fragile beauty
(of colour, tone, taste, etc) pleasantly subtle, soft, or faint
easily damaged or injured; lacking robustness, esp in health; fragile
precise, skilled, or sensitive in action or operation
a delicate mechanism
requiring tact and diplomacy
sensitive in feeling or manner; showing regard for the feelings of others
excessively refined; squeamish

noun

archaic, a delicacy; dainty

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Other Word Forms

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of delicate¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of delicate¹

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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"The operation took about two hours," Dr Anand said, adding that special equipment had to be used because of the baby's delicate, diminutive stature.

From BBC

Water ice is somewhere between a slushie and a sorbet, with delicate ice crystals that make it wonderfully refreshing.

From Salon

Most of your singing is the “Nebraska” songs, these delicate acoustic songs about despairing characters who have lost hope.

From Los Angeles Times

It quickly drew multiple legal challenges over alleged poor conditions and environmental damage to the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades, a Unesco world heritage site.

From BBC

The second season premiere, appropriately titled “The Ties that Grind,” is violent, gory, and trades in uproarious humor that doesn’t give a bleep about delicate ears and sensibilities.

From Salon

Related Words

delicacy delicately

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