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”) + laciō (“to lure, to deceive”), from Proto-Italic *lakjō (“to draw, pull”), of unknown ultimate origin. Compare delight, delicious and Spanish delgado (“thin, skinny”). The noun is from a substantivization of the adjective (see -ate).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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fragile dainty fine subtle frail exquisite finespun ticklish soft touchy

Antonyms

rugged

Related words

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Rhymes for delicate

ate date rate mate abate slate plate state create update locate emirate

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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.

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