- Hide translation
delicate
delicate /ˈdɛləkət/
adjective
-
(
)
Exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
(
delicate
)
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
A delicate violin passage
a delicate violin passage
Delicate china
delicate china
A delicate flavor
a delicate flavor
The delicate wing of a butterfly
the delicate wing of a butterfly
-
()
Easily broken, damaged or destroyed
(
frail
, delicate
, fragile
)
easily broken, damaged or destroyed
A kite too delicate to fly safely
a kite too delicate to fly safely
Fragile porcelain plates
fragile porcelain plates
Fragile old bones
fragile old bones
A frail craft
a frail craft
-
()
Marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
(
delicate
)
marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
A surgeon's delicate touch
a surgeon's delicate touch
-
()
Difficult to handle; requiring great tact
(
ticklish
, touchy
, tickly
, delicate
)
difficult to handle; requiring great tact
Delicate negotiations with the big powers
delicate negotiations with the big powers
Hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
A touchy subject
a touchy subject
-
()
Developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
(
finespun
, delicate
)
developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
The satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
-
()
Easily hurt
(
delicate
, soft
)
easily hurt
Soft hands
soft hands
A baby's delicate skin
a baby's delicate skin
-
Of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
(
delicate
)
of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
Almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments
almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments