Dictionary
List of exercises
Exercises by level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
OK
Meaning of delicate in English
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛlɪkət/
US accent
Your browser does not support the audio element.
How to pronounce delicate in American English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
UK accent
Your browser does not support the audio element.
How to pronounce delicate in British English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
Classifying Adjective
delicate
Definitions
1.
marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
Examples
« a surgeon's delicate touch »
Synonyms
skilled
2.
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
Examples
« a kite too delicate to fly safely »
« fragile porcelain plates »
« fragile old bones »
« a frail craft »
Synonyms
breakable
3.
easily hurt
Examples
« soft hands »
« a baby's delicate skin »
Synonyms
tender
untoughened
4.
developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
Examples
« the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense »
Synonyms
refined
5.
difficult to handle
Examples
« requiring great tact »
« delicate negotiations with the big powers »
« hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter »
Synonyms
difficult
hard
6.
of an instrument or device
Examples
« capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely »
« almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments »
Synonyms
sensitive
Qualitative Adjective
delicate
Etymology
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’
Definitions
1.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing
Examples
« susceptible to injury »
« a delicate violin passage »
« delicate china »
« a delicate flavor »
« the delicate wing of a butterfly »
Synonyms
dainty
exquisite
ethereal
gossamer
fragile
half-hardy
light-handed
overdelicate
pastel
subtle
tender
Antonyms
rugged
See also
breakable
frail
weak