Yahoo Canada Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   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

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › delicate

   • Cached

   The meaning of DELICATE is pleasing to the senses. How to use delicate in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Delicate.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

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

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDELICATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Something that is delicate has a colour, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense. Young haricot beans have a tender texture and a delicate, subtle flavour. The colours are delicate and shimmering. ...a soup delicately flavoured with nutmeg.

5. 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.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdelicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   (of a person) not strong and easily becoming ill. His health had always been delicate. She has a delicate constitution and has to be careful with what she eats. small and having a beautiful shape or appearance. made or formed in a very careful and detailed way. showing or needing careful or sensitive treatment.

7. www.oed.com › dictionary › delicate_adjdelicate, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › delicate_adj

   • Cached

   What does the word delicate mean? There are 32 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word delicate, 11 of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the word delicate? How is the word delicate pronounced? Where does the word delicate come from?

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishdelicate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

   • Cached

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

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › delicate

   • Cached

   delicate - exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury; "a delicate violin passage"; "delicate china"; "a delicate flavor"; "the delicate wing of a butterfly"

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDELICATE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

    • Cached

    DELICATE meaning: 1. soft, light, or gentle: 2. easy to damage or break: 3. needing to be dealt with very…. Learn more.

11. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › delicatedelicate - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    en.wiktionary.org › wiki › delicate

    • Cached

    Oct 21, 2024 · delicate (comparative more delicate, superlative most delicate) Easily damaged or requiring careful handling. Those clothes are made from delicate lace. The negotiations were very delicate. There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.