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   delicate

   /ˈdɛlɪkət/

   adjective

   • 1. very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality: "a delicate lace shawl" Similar fineexquisiteintricatedaintyairyelegantgracefulflimsygauzyfilmyfloatygossamerdiaphanouschiffonysilkywispythininsubstantialpaperyOpposite crudecoarse
   • ▪ (of colour) subtle and subdued: "delicate pastel shades" Similar subtlesoftsubduedmutedpastelpalelightOpposite boldvibrantlurid
   • ▪ (of food or drink) subtly and pleasantly flavoured: "a delicate, sweet flavour"
   • 2. easily broken or damaged; fragile: "delicate china" Similar fragilebreakableeasily broken/damagedfrailfrangibleeggshellOpposite strongdurable
   • ▪ susceptible to illness or adverse conditions: "his delicate health" Similar sicklyin poor healthunhealthyvaletudinarianfrailfeebleweakweaklydebilitatedunwellinfirmailingpoorlyinformal:neshOpposite healthystrongrobust
   • ▪ (of a state or condition) easily upset or affected: "owls have a delicate balance with their habitat"
   • 3. requiring sensitive or careful handling: "delicate negotiations" Similar difficulttrickysensitiveticklishawkwardproblematicproblematicaltouchypricklycontroversialemotiveembarrassinginformal:stickydiceyOpposite uncontroversial
   • ▪ tactful and considerate: "a delicate approach is needed" Similar carefulconsideratesensitivetactfuldiplomaticdiscreetgentlekid-glovesoftly-softlyOpposite ineptclumsyinsensitive
   • ▪ skilful and finely judged; deft: "his delicate ball-playing skills" Similar deftdexterousskilledskilfulexpertfinely judgedadeptadroitneatslickinformal:niftyOpposite clumsyinept
   • ▪ (of an instrument) highly sensitive. Similar sensitiveprecisionpreciseaccurateexact

   noun

   • 1. a delicate fabric or garment: informal "the delicates cycle of a washing machine"

   Word Origin 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’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. delicateness noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

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2. People also ask

   What does delicate mean?

   • showing or needing skillful, careful, or sensitive treatment I admired your delicate handling of the situation. a delicate problem The delicate surgical operation took five hours. Definition of delicate adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

   delicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/delicate

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   What does a delicate situation mean?

   • A delicate situation. A delicate balance. A delicate child. A delicate lace design. A delicate taste. Sometimes the word implies intricate beauty and at other times fragility. Delicate can have negative overtones: A delicate situation is a tricky one. A delicate balance describes an agreement that might turn sour any moment.

   Delicate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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   What does Delicado mean?

   • delicado, suave, delicado/ada [masculine-feminine]… delicado, delicado/-da [masculine-feminine]… Need a translator? Get a quick, free translation! DELICATE definition: 1. needing careful treatment, especially because easily damaged: 2. needing to be done carefully…. Learn more.

   DELICATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/delicate

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   How do you use delicate in a sentence?

   • You use delicate to describe a situation, problem, matter, or discussion that needs to be dealt with carefully and sensitively in order to avoid upsetting things or offending people. The members are afraid of upsetting the delicate balance of political interests. This sensitive book tackles the delicate issue of adoption with care and simplicity.

   DELICATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/delicate

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › delicateDelicate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › delicate

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   : 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.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDELICATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   DELICATE definition: 1. needing careful treatment, especially because easily damaged: 2. needing to be done carefully…. Learn more.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › delicateDELICATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   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.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › delicateDELICATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › delicate

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   If something is delicate, it is easy to harm, damage, or break, and needs to be handled or treated carefully. Although the coral looks hard, it is very delicate. ...a washing machine catering for every fabric–even the most delicate. Synonyms: fragile, weak, frail, brittle More Synonyms of delicate.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › delicateDelicate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › delicate

   Delicate things, like a flower, a necklace, or someone’s feelings are fragile, easily broken, and often quite beautiful. A delicate situation. A delicate balance. A delicate child. A delicate lace design. A delicate taste. Sometimes the word implies intricate beauty and at other times fragility.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › delicateDelicate - definition of delicate by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › delicate

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   delicate. ( ˈdɛlɪkɪt) adj. 1. exquisite, fine, or subtle in quality, character, construction, etc. 2. having a soft or fragile beauty. 3. (of colour, tone, taste, etc) pleasantly subtle, soft, or faint. 4. easily damaged or injured; lacking robustness, esp in health; fragile.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › delicatedelicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › delicate

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   Definition of delicate adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.