delicate

1 of 2

adjective

del·​i·​cate ˈde-li-kət 

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

a delicate floral print

an ample tear trilled down her delicate cheek

—William Shakespeare

d

: marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture

a delicate tracery

a delicate lace

2

a

: marked by keen sensitivity or fine discrimination

delicate insights

a more delicate syntactic analysis

—R. H. Robins

b

: fastidious, squeamish

a person of delicate tastes

3

a

: not robust in health or constitution : weak, sickly

had been considered a delicate child

b

: easily torn or damaged : fragile

delicate wine glasses

a delicate flower

the delicate chain of life

4

a

: requiring careful handling:

(1)

: easily unsettled or upset

a delicate balance

the delicate relationships defined by the Constitution

—New Yorker

(2)

: requiring skill or tact

in a delicate position

delicate negotiations

a delicate operation

(3)

: involving matters of a deeply personal nature : sensitive

this is a delicate matter. Could I possibly speak to you alone

—Daphne Du Maurier

b

: marked by care, skill, or tact

her delicate handling of a difficult situation

5

: marked by great precision or sensitivity

a delicate instrument

delicately adverb

delicate

2 of 2

noun

: something delicate

—usually used in plural

washing delicates by hand

Synonyms

Adjective

• airy
• dainty
• exquisite
• nuanced
• refined
• subtle

Choose the Right Synonym for delicate

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of delicate in a Sentence

Adjective

He has a delicate stomach and often gets sick when traveling.

The fabric has a delicate floral print.

We hung delicate lace curtains in the windows.

The tomb was adorned with delicate carvings.

the delicate flavor of the wine

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The suited look featured a base black fabric with delicate, white pinstripes along the blazer and trousers. —Julia Teti, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024

These will need to strike a delicate balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring responsible development. —Adrian Swinscoe, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

For antiques or delicates, don’t take the risk—try dry cleaning. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024

In the light-colored pile, separate delicates (underwear, light-weight blouses) from sheets and towels. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus given to self-indulgence, fastidious, subtly pleasing, not robust; akin to Latin delicere to allure

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

delicate

adjective

del·​i·​cate

ˈdel-i-kət

1

: satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness

a delicate flavor

delicate blossoms

2

: having fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture

delicate lace

3

: fastidious

a person of delicate tastes

4

: easily torn or hurt

also : weak sense 1, sickly

was too delicate to play football

5

: easily unsettled or upset

a delicate balance

6

: resulting from or requiring skill or careful treatment

delicate handling of a difficult situation

a delicate operation

7

: able to sense or indicate very slight differences

a delicate instrument

delicately adverb

delicateness noun