del·i·cate
ˈde-li-kət 
1
: pleasing to the senses:
a
: generally pleasant
the climate's delicate, the air most sweet—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
b
: 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
William Shakespeare
d
: marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture
a delicate tracery
a delicate lace
2
a
: marked by keen sensitivity or fine discrimination
delicate insights
a more delicate syntactic analysis—R. H. Robins
R. H. Robins
b
: fastidious, squeamish
a person of delicate tastes
3
4
a
: requiring careful handling:
(1)
: easily unsettled or upset
a delicate balance
the delicate relationships defined by the Constitution—New Yorker
New Yorker
(2)
: requiring skill or tact
in a delicate position
delicate negotiations
a delicate operation
(3)
: involving matters of a deeply personal nature : sensitive
this is a delicate matter. Could I possibly speak to you alone—Daphne Du Maurier
Daphne Du Maurier
b
: marked by care, skill, or tact
her delicate handling of a difficult situation
5
: marked by great precision or sensitivity
a delicate instrument
delicately
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of delicate in a Sentence
Adjective
He has a delicate stomach and often gets sick when traveling.
The fabric has a delicate floral print.
We hung delicate lace curtains in the windows.
The tomb was adorned with delicate carvings.
the delicate flavor of the wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
The neuroscientist and brain surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, was studying the brain activity behind speech, that precise and delicate neural choreography by which lips, jaw, tongue, and larynx produce meaningful sounds.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024
The brand recommends machine-washing them on the delicates setting with cold water and laying them flat to dry.
—Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delicate 
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Adjective
Amid that delicate task, the central bank could fall under an uncomfortable political spotlight should Trump follow his previous pattern of publicly attacking Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
The neuroscientist and brain surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, was studying the brain activity behind speech, that precise and delicate neural choreography by which lips, jaw, tongue, and larynx produce meaningful sounds.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
In the light-colored pile, separate delicates (underwear, light-weight blouses) from sheets and towels.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024
The brand recommends machine-washing them on the delicates setting with cold water and laying them flat to dry.
—Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for delicate
Dictionary Entries Near delicate
Cite this Entry
“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delicate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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