delicate
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for delicate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Easily damaged and needing careful handling.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use delicate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
delicate balance
delicate situation
delicate fabric
delicate flavor
Etymology
From Middle English delicat, from Latin dēlicātus (“giving pleasure, delightful, soft, luxurious, delicate, (in Medieval Latin also) fine, slender”), from dēlicia + -ātus (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), usually in plural dēliciae (“pleasure, delight, luxury”), from dēliciō (“to allure, entice”), from dē- (“away”...
Full origin of delicate →Frequently asked questions
What does “delicate” mean?
The word “delicate” means easily damaged and needing careful handling. In plain terms, fragile, easily upset, or needing gentle, careful treatment — whether an object, a topic, or a flavor.
How do you pronounce “delicate”?
“Delicate” is pronounced DEHL-ih-kuht (/ˈdɛl.ɪ.kɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “delicate” in a sentence?
Here is “delicate” used in a sentence: “The vase is extremely delicate, so wrap it well before shipping.”
What part of speech is “delicate”?
“Delicate” is an adjective.
Is “delicate” a common word?
“Delicate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “delicate” have?
“Delicate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily damaged and needing careful handling.
What is the difference between delicate and fragile?
Fragile focuses on breakability — a fragile vase shatters if dropped — while delicate is broader: it can mean easily damaged, but also fine and subtle, as in delicate embroidery or a delicate flavor, or requiring tact, as in a delicate situation. Something fragile is almost always delicate, but delicate things are not necessarily breakable.
What is a delicate flavor?
A delicate flavor is one that is fine, subtle, and easily overwhelmed, such as the taste of white fish, cucumber, or lightly brewed tea. Describing food this way is usually a compliment, implying refinement rather than blandness, and it signals that strong seasonings should be used sparingly.
Is it polite to describe a person as delicate?
It depends on context. Applied to health or build, delicate suggests physical frailty and can sound tender or old-fashioned; applied to temperament, it can imply the person is easily upset, which may come across as condescending. It is safest when describing features — delicate hands, delicate features — where it reads as fine and graceful.
