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Definitions

delicate

[del-i-kit] / ˈdɛl ɪ kɪt /
ADJECTIVE
dainty, weak
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delicious delightful elegant exquisite fragile gentle graceful mild rare soft subtle tender
WEAK
aerial balmy breakable choice delectable ethereal faint filmy fine fine-grained finespun flimsy fracturable frail frangible gauzy gossamery hairline muted nice pale pastel recherché select shatterable shattery slight subdued superior
Antonyms
STRONGEST
callous crude firm hard harsh healthy horrible loud ordinary rough strong tough ugly unpleasant violent
WEAK
coarse healthful heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust uncareful uncritical unscrupulous
ADJECTIVE
sickly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fragile slender tender
WEAK
ailing debilitated decrepit feeble flimsy frail infirm shatterable shattery slight susceptible unhealthy weak
Antonyms
STRONGEST
tough
WEAK
coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous
ADJECTIVE
fussy, discriminating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
critical gentle refined sensitive
WEAK
alert careful dainty fastidious finical finicking finicky nice particular persnickety prudish pure scrupulous squeamish thin-skinned
Antonyms
WEAK
coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous
ADJECTIVE
difficult, sticky (situation)
Synonyms
STRONGEST
critical precarious sensitive ticklish touchy tricky unpredictable volatile
WEAK
hair-trigger uncertain
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm easy firm stable
WEAK
coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous
ADJECTIVE
careful, tactful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deft detailed precise sensitive
WEAK
accurate adept cautious considerate diplomatic discreet expert foresighted heedful masterly minute politic proficient prudent skilled tactical wary
Antonyms
WEAK
coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Delicate and old art will not be put at risk by light, Govan said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2025

Appeared in the May 20, 2025, print edition as 'Push to Mine Ocean Riches Involves Delicate Science'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2025

For the last half-decade, she's been in romantic mode: Songs like Delicate, Lover, Invisible String and Lavender Haze were all inspired by her boyfriend of six years, the British actor Joe Alwyn.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2024

Boone Hogg, Logan Jugler and some friends were cracking jokes as they trekked toward Delicate Arch.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

Delicate in stature, she was as meticulous about her attire as she was about her studies.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Vocabulary lists containing delicate

The Diary of Anne Frank

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Bridge to Terabithia

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