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- pronunciation:
- de
l
kt
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
agreeable to the senses because of fineness or subtlety.
I love the delicate fragrance of roses.- synonyms:
- exquisite, nice
- antonyms:
- bold, strong
- similar words:
- agreeable, dainty, elegant, light, silken, soft, subtle
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| definition 2: |
easy to break or hurt; fragile; dainty.
This glassware is delicate, so please be careful.- synonyms:
- fragile, frail, frangible
- antonyms:
- durable, hardy, strong, sturdy, tough
- similar words:
- breakable, dainty, feeble, tender
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| definition 3: |
requiring care and gentle handling; sensitive.
He hesitated to bring up the delicate matter of her mother's death.How much money a person makes is often a delicate topic.- synonyms:
- sensitive, ticklish, touchy, tricky
- similar words:
- precarious, risky, sticky
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| definition 4: |
of a weak or sickly nature.
He had always been a delicate child and frequently had to be taken to the hospital.- synonyms:
- frail, tender
- antonyms:
- hardy, healthy, robust, strong, tough
- similar words:
- ailing, feeble, flimsy, sickly, weak
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| definition 5: |
very fine; subtle.
It's a delicate distinction but an important one.A delicate pattern was engraved in the silver.- synonyms:
- finespun, subtle
- antonyms:
- bold, gross
- similar words:
- exquisite, fine, gossamer, minute, sheer
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| definition 6: |
characterized by sensitivity.
She was delicate in her handling of the situation.- synonyms:
- considerate, diplomatic, sensitive, tactful
- antonyms:
- clumsy, coarse, crude, indelicate
- similar words:
- careful, fastidious, politic, prudent, tender
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| definition 7: |
exquisitely precise in sensory perception.
He plays the instrument with a delicate touch.- synonyms:
- perceptive, refined
- similar words:
- discerning, discriminating, elegant, subtle
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| related words: |
airy, brittle, diaphanous, lovely, mellow, nice, puny, queasy, sensitive, small, sore, squeamish, ticklish, tricky |
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| derivations: |
delicately (adv.), delicateness (n.) |
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