delicate

/ˈdɛlɪkət/

/ˈdɛlɪkət/

Delicate things, like a flower, a necklace, or someone’s feelings are fragile, easily broken, and often quite beautiful.

A delicate situation. A delicate balance. A delicate child. A delicate lace design. A delicate taste. Sometimes the word implies intricate beauty and at other times fragility. Delicate can have negative overtones: A delicate situation is a tricky one. A delicate balance describes an agreement that might turn sour any moment. A delicate child may cry easily. But delicate can also refer to things that are very lovely and hard to reproduce: a delicate lace collar on a dress stands out. A delicate flavor, like pomegranate peach mint sauce, makes salad — or vanilla ice cream — much more delicious.

Definitions of delicate

1. adjective

   developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
   synonyms: finespun

   refined

   (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
2. adjective

   marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
   “a surgeon's delicate touch”

   synonyms:

   skilled

   having or showing or requiring special skill
3. adjective

   exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
   “a delicate violin passage”

   “delicate china”

   “a delicate flavor”

   “the delicate wing of a butterfly”

   synonyms:

   dainty, exquisite

   delicately beautiful

   ethereal, gossamer

   characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

   fragile

   vulnerably delicate

   light-handed

   having a metaphorically delicate touch

   overdelicate

   extremely delicate

   pastel

   lacking in body or vigor

   tender

   (of plants) not hardy; easily killed by adverse growing condition

   breakable

   capable of being broken or damaged

   frail

   physically weak

   weak

   wanting in physical strength

   antonyms:

   rugged

   sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

   knockabout

   suitable for rough use

   sturdy, tough

   substantially made or constructed

   robust

   sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction

   strong

   having strength or power greater than average or expected

   tough, toughened

   physically toughened
4. adjective

   easily broken or damaged or destroyed
   “a kite too delicate to fly safely”

   synonyms: fragile, frail

   breakable

   capable of being broken or damaged
5. adjective

   easily hurt
   “a baby's delicate skin”

   synonyms: soft

   tender, untoughened

   physically untoughened
6. adjective

   of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
   “almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments”

   synonyms:

   sensitive

   responsive to physical stimuli
7. adjective

   difficult to handle; requiring great tact
   “delicate negotiations with the big powers”

   synonyms: ticklish, touchy

   difficult, hard

   not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure