Meaning & use
Delicate
Last updated
Fine or fragile in texture or structure, or requiring careful, sensitive handling.
See it in a sentence
The vase was too delicate to ship without extra padding.
Negotiating the merger required a delicate touch.
A note on using this word
Can describe physical fragility, subtlety of flavor or design, or the tact needed in sensitive situations.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Requiring tact or careful handling because of its sensitive nature.
It was a delicate subject to bring up at dinner.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Delicate”, then compare your use with the examples above.