delicate

Study(12)

UK /ˈdɛl.ɪ.kət/ US /ˈdɛl.ɪ.kɪt/

adj 5noun 4

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

be, feel, look

The antique porcelain teacup felt delicate in her hands, so she held it carefully.

become

ADV

extremely, very

quite, rather, somewhat

The situation was quite delicate, so we decided to wait before making any decisions.

surprisingly

The porcelain figurine was surprisingly delicate for something so old and valuable.

politically

The government had to handle the dispute very carefully because it was politically delicate.

Definitions

adj

Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.

Those clothes are made from delicate lace.

The negotiations were very delicate.

Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.

Her face was delicate.

The spider wove a delicate web.

Intended for use with fragile items.

Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle.

Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.

delicate behaviour

delicate attentions

Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.

a delicate child

delicate health

noun

A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.

Don't put that in with your jeans: it's a delicate!

A choice dainty; a delicacy.

With Abstinence all Delicates he Sees, / And can regale himself with Toast and Cheese.

A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

A council of war was called, and the delicates met in the great cabin ; the platform was rigged up on the forecastle, the yard-rope rove, and the signal made for all boats to attend execution

If Lucullus were not a waster and a delicate given to belly-cheare.

A moth of the species Mythimna vitellina.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adjective — easily broken or damaged or destroyed

adjective — difficult to handle

ticklish
touchy

adjective — developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety

finespun

adjective — easily hurt

soft

Antonyms

rugged

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Those clothes are made from delicate lace.

Wiktionary

The negotiations were very delicate.

Wiktionary

There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.

Wiktionary

Don't put that in with your jeans: it's a delicate!

Wiktionary

With Abstinence all Delicates he Sees, / And can regale himself with Toast and Cheese.

Wiktionary

A council of war was called, and the delicates met in the great cabin ; the platform was rigged up on the forecastle, the yard-rope rove, and the signal made for all boats to attend execution

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, delicate is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

Your note

not saved

0 chars