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Delicate: meaning, definitions and examples

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delicate

 

[ ˈdɛlɪkət ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

touch

Easily broken or damaged; fragile.

Synonyms

fragile, frail, vulnerable

Examples of usage

  • The delicate glass ornaments should be handled with care.
  • Her delicate skin burned easily in the sun.
Context #2 | Adjective

food

Subtle or fine in texture, quality, flavor, etc.

Synonyms

exquisite, fine, subtle

Examples of usage

  • The chef prepared a delicate sauce to accompany the fish.
  • The cake had a delicate crumb and a light, airy texture.
Context #3 | Adjective

situation

Sensitively affecting the emotions; easily upset or offended.

Synonyms

sensitive, tender, touchy

Examples of usage

  • She was in a delicate state of mind after the breakup.
  • He handled the delicate situation with tact and diplomacy.

Translations

Translations of the word "delicate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 delicado

🇮🇳 नाजुक

🇩🇪 zart

🇮🇩 halus

🇺🇦 делікатний

🇵🇱 delikatny

🇯🇵 繊細

🇫🇷 délicat

🇪🇸 delicado

🇹🇷 nazik

🇰🇷 섬세한

🇸🇦 حساس

🇨🇿 jemný

🇸🇰 jemný

🇨🇳 细腻

🇸🇮 nežen

🇮🇸 viðkvæmur

🇰🇿 нәзік

🇬🇪 მყიფე

🇦🇿 zərif

🇲🇽 delicado

Etymology

The word 'delicate' originated from the Latin word 'delicatus', meaning 'alluring, delightful, luxurious'. Over time, it evolved to encompass notions of fragility, subtlety, and sensitivity. 'Delicate' has been used in English since the 15th century to describe things that are easily damaged, need careful handling, or possess fine qualities. It has become a versatile adjective, capturing a range of nuances related to fragility, subtlety, and emotional sensitivity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,987, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.