delicatedel‧i‧cate /ˈdelɪkət/ ●●○ adjective 
There’s something I have to speak to you about – it’s a delicate matter. delicate negotiations► see thesaurus at difficult2easily damaged or broken SYN fragile: delicate hand-cut glass The sun can easily damage a child’s delicate skin.3 old-fashioned someone who is delicate is hurt easily or easily becomes ill: a delicate child► see thesaurus at ill, weak4a part of the body that is delicate is attractive and graceful: Her wrists and ankles were slim and delicate. her delicate features5made skilfully and with attention to the smallest details: a plate with a delicate pattern of leaves6a taste, smell, or colour that is delicate is pleasant and not strong: The wine has a dry delicate flavour. a delicate pink—delicately adverb → indelicate
WORD ORIGINdelicate
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin delicatusEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- delicate pinks and blues
- a delicate gold necklace
- Clare was more active than her brother, who had always been a delicate child.
- I am seeking your professional advice on a very delicate matter.
- Madeline was wondering how to approach the delicate question of her salary with her new boss.
- Mr Humphreys wife was delicate - the doctor was called in once or twice a week.
- Mrs. Archer extended her delicate hand.
- Salmon has quite a delicate flavour, and it should not be over-cooked.
- The delicate blossoms resemble lace.
- The delicate operation took more than six hours.
- The delicate scent of roses hung in the air.
- The china has a delicate pattern of leaves.
- The fish was served with a delicate mushroom sauce.
- The tea was served in delicate china cups.
- This soup has a marvellous, delicate fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
- Troy was a delicate child who spend most of his time indoors.
- Matched brass florets mark the corners of the three leather volumes that contain them, and delicate brass chains fasten their bindings.
- Sabine sampled the soup, and found the flavour surprisingly delicate.
- The delicate glasses had felt thick and awkward in her hands, soft as putty but covered in cutting edges.
- The story of that day unfolds in a way that is delicate, deliberate and emotionally telling.
- This must come by the delicate interaction of her own willed effort and the creative understanding which Hilton calls grace.
- Unfortunately they are not all able to survive in an aquarium and some of the most colourful varieties are the most delicate.
- We need to be aware, however, that the school environment is a delicate ecosystem, highly sensitive to political whim.
THESAURUS
not easy to do, understand, or deal with: · a difficult question· The homework was really difficult.· It is difficult to see how peace can be achieved in the region.
difficult. Hard is less formal than difficult and is very common in spoken English: · The test was really hard.· a hard decision· It was hard to forgive him.
very difficult, because you have to use a lot of effort, or because it affects you emotionally: · a tough race· Doctors have to make tough decisions about who to treat first.· The team faces some tough competition.· Life is tough sometimes.
difficult because it is complicated and full of problems: · She had helped him out of a tricky situation.· Merging the two companies was bound to be tricky.
rather difficult to deal with – used especially when something could be embarrassing: · You’ve put me in a very awkward position.· It was getting dark and foggy, which made the rescue even more awkward.
difficult in an interesting or enjoyable way: · I wanted a job that was more challenging.· a challenging piece of music
difficult and tiring, because it takes a lot of effort: · Being a nurse in a busy hospital is a demanding job.· it can be very demanding bringing up young children.
if something seems daunting, you think that it will be difficult and you do not feel confident about being able to do it: · a daunting challenge· The task seemed a little daunting at first.
needing to be dealt with carefully or sensitively, especially in order to avoid offending people or causing problems: · This is a very delicate subject, and it can be difficult to talk about it with your parents.· He thanked me for the way in which this delicate matter had been handled.
easily broken or damaged: · The documents are old and very fragile.· a fragile glass case· The seventeenth century wall hangings are extremely fragile.
easily damaged – used especially about things that are made from thin material and look attractive: · a delicate gold necklace· The plant has delicate blue flowers.· delicate fabrics
brittle hair, nails, bones etc have a hard surface, but they break easily, especially because they are not in good condition: · As you get older, your bones become more brittle.· a special shampoo for dry and brittle hair
breakable objects must be handled carefully because they will break easily: · Put breakable objects out of the reach of children.· breakable ornaments
made of thin material that tears easily, or badly-made and likely to break easily: · a flimsy cotton shirt· a flimsy wooden table
especially literary not strong and therefore easy to break, damage, or hurt: · The young trees are frail and need to be protected from the wind.· a frail little fishing boat· a frail old lady
often ill unhealthy and often ill: · Chopin was already in poor health when he arrived on the island.
weak and likely to become ill easily: · She was delicate and pale and frequently complained of headaches.· He had a delicate constitution and throughout his adult life suffered from various illnesses.
a sickly child is often ill: · He was a sickly child and spent a lot of time at home on his own.· His younger daughter was sickly and died when she was young.
not physically strong not physically strong, sometimes because you are ill: · Tom’s had flu and he’s still feeling weak.· The doctors said she was too weak to have an operation.· He suffered constantly from a weak chest.
weak and thin, especially because you are old: · a frail 85-year-old lady· My grandfather’s becoming quite frail now.
feeling weak in your legs and only able to walk slowly and unsteadily: · When I came out of hospital I was a bit shaky for a while.
especially disapproving small, thin, and looking very weak: · his puny white arms· He was a puny little boy who was often bullied at school.
especially written weak and unable to do much because you are very ill, very old or very young: · For a week she was too feeble to get out of bed.· a tiny, feeble baby
weak and often becoming ill easily: · a delicate child· She had rather a delicate constitution (=her body easily became ill).
formal weak or ill for a long time, especially because you are old: · a residential home for people who are elderly and infirm· There are special facilities for wheelchair users and infirm guests.
formal weak or ill because you have not had enough good food to eat: · Half a million people there are severely malnourished.· The organization provides emergency feeding for malnourished children.
likely to break unable to support much weight, and likely to break: · The foundations of the building are rather weak.· an old chair with weak legs
made of a thin material that is easy to break or damage – used when something needs to be handled carefully: · a fragile china vase· Be careful of those glasses – they’re very fragile.
easy to break or damage – used especially about soft materials, skin etc: · Wash delicate fabrics separately.· This soap is good for delicate skin.
not well-made from strong materials and so easily damaged – used about furniture, houses etc: · a flimsy plastic table· This keyboard’s very cheap but it’s a bit flimsy.
in very bad condition and likely to break – used about a building, piece of furniture, vehicle etc: · a rickety old bicycle· He lived in a rickety hut on the beach for several years.
Longman Language Activatoreasily broken objects that are breakable break easily because they are made of glass or another thin, hard material, and must be handled carefully: · Put breakable objects out of the reach of children.· Many laboratories spend thousands of dollars a year on breakable glass equipment.
not strong and therefore very easily broken or damaged: · The parcel was marked FRAGILE -- HANDLE WITH CARE.· The museum sends fragile porcelain objects to specialists to be restored.
something that is delicate is easily broken or damaged, especially because it is made of very thin material, and is attractive to look at: · The tea was served in delicate china cups.· a delicate gold necklace
hard and easily broken, especially because of being old and dry: · Perming makes your hair more brittle.· The building's electrical wiring was worn and brittle, causing a fire hazard.
something that is crisp is hard, thin, and breaks easily when you press on it: · The crisp, dry leaves rustled underneath her feet.· Brush the tops of the loaves with cold water, which helps form the crisp crust for which French bread is famous.
a situation that is difficult to deal with or talk about a difficult situation or subject is not easy to deal with or talk about, and it makes you feel nervous or unhappy: · Things at home have been very difficult since my father died.be in a difficult position (=to have problems that are difficult to deal with): · Officials say they are in the difficult position of having to implement a law they strongly disagree with.
an awkward situation or subject is difficult to deal with or talk about, especially because it might be embarrassing: · He's at an age when kids start asking awkward questions - like 'Where do babies come from?'
a tricky situation is one that you have to deal with very carefully, because there are a lot of things that could easily go wrong: · Teachers often have to deal with tricky situations such as interviews with angry parents.it could/would be tricky to do something: · It would be very tricky to try to stabilize the region without the support of other countries.
a delicate matter, subject, situation etc is one that you must be very careful talking about or dealing with because you risk offending or upsetting people: · I am seeking your professional advice on a very delicate matter.· Madeline was wondering how to approach the delicate question of her salary with her new boss.
something that is sensitive , such as a political or social problem or a document, is likely to cause trouble or be likely to upset someone: · The team is gathering information on the sensitive subject of child abuse.· The administration claims that the documents contain information of a highly sensitive political nature.
a touchy subject or situation is one that you must be very careful talking about or dealing with because you risk upsetting or offending someone: · Until now both candidates have avoided talking about the touchy subject of health care reform.
informal a political problem that is very difficult for the government to deal with because there is a lot of disagreement about it: · Fortunately for the government, this issue has drawn attention away from the hot potato of funding the London Underground.
when someone is often ill a sickly child is often ill: · He was a sickly child with a bad chest and a permanent cough.· Louise, who was often sickly, couldn't join in the other children's games.
formal unhealthy and weak and likely to become ill easily: · Clare was more active than her brother, who had always been a delicate child.· Mr Humphreys' wife was delicate - the doctor was called in once or twice a week.
fairly ill all the time or over a long period of time, and generally not strong and healthy: · When he left Trinidad he was already over 60, frail, and in poor health.
formal not healthy or strong, especially because of old age: · She lives with her grandmother who is elderly and infirm.the infirm (=people who are infirm): · The "Meals on Wheels' service delivers food to the old and infirm.
likely to become ill or to get a particular illness: · As a child she had always been prone to allergies.· The disease had left her weak and prone to all kinds of infections.
to have a good smell to have a pleasant smell: · Something smells good. What are you cooking?· You smell so good - is that a new perfume?· I put lavender in my cupboard to make my clothes smell nice.
having a light, pleasant smell, especially of flowers: · The plant has fragrant red and white flowers.· The forest was cool and fragrant, and the walk through it calmed my spirits.· Choose from one of Chanel's new range of fragrant body lotions.
having a clean, natural, pleasant smell: · If you eat garlic, have some parsley afterwards to keep your breath fresh.· The fields have such a clean, fresh smell after the rain.
having a pleasant smell - use this especially about plants and leaves that are used in cooking: · Thai basil is fast growing and wonderfully aromatic.· This kind of massage is a gentle treatment using aromatic oils.
having a strong, sweet smell: · The room was warm, sweet-smelling, and luxurious.· The plant produces tiny, but sweet-smelling white flowers.· The old city lay among sweet-smelling pine woods and almond groves.
a delicate smell is pleasant but sometimes difficult to notice: · The delicate scent of roses hung in the air.· This soup has a marvellous, delicate fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
having a strong but pleasant smell - use this especially about something that has been given a smell by a particular product: · He stood so close to her that he could smell the perfumed soap on her skin.· perfumed lotions· The poodle came back from the groomers perfumed, with a tiny bow behind each ear.
with little or no taste food that is tasteless has little or no taste and is rather unpleasant: · Why is airplane food always so tasteless?· a plate of tasteless, overcooked vegetables
food or drink that is bland has very little taste and is not interesting to eat or drink: · If the sauce is bland, add a little more vinegar.· At first, give the baby tiny portions of any bland food that has been sieved or pureed.
to have very little taste - use this especially when you think something should have more taste: · The most disappointing dish was the chicken-filled tortellini with a pesto sauce that had almost no taste.· You need to add salt or something - this doesn't have any taste at all.
British informal /not taste like anything American informal to have no particular taste: · I'm not sure what kind of soup this is supposed to be. It doesn't taste of anything to me.· The dessert wasn't awful, but it didn't taste like anything.
something such as cheese or coffee that is mild has a pleasant taste but is not hot or strong: · It's a smooth, mild coffee, excellent for finishing off a meal.· a mild cigar· a mild English cheese
a delicate taste or flavour is pleasant and not very strong: · The fish was served with a delicate mushroom sauce.· Salmon has quite a delicate flavour, and it should not be over-cooked.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY There’s something I have to speak to you about – it’s a delicate matter. The sun can easily damage a child’s delicate skin. her delicate featuresCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1needing to be dealt with carefully or sensitively in order to avoid problems or failure: There’s something I have to speak to you about – it’s a delicate matter. The sun can easily damage a child’s delicate skin. her delicate features (=easily damaged)· Too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere upsets the delicate balance of gases.
(=pleasant and not strong)· The wine should be served cold so that it doesn’t lose any of its delicate flavour.
· The plant produces delicate purple flowers.
(=in which it would be very easy to upset people and cause the negotiations to fail)· The company is about to start delicate negotiations with the union about next year's pay agreement.
· The flowers have a delicate perfume similar to cowslips.
(=one that may be embarrassing)· She carefully avoided discussing the delicate subject of money.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Emperor Tetras are a quiet, peaceful fish and not as delicate as is sometimes thought.· Between these, a hundred jellyfish as delicate and as translucent as rose petals pulsate like butterflies.· He was very light, and his bones felt as delicate as a bird's.· But her infirmities had caused her to be thought of as delicate, to be treated as a bit of an invalid.
· In Essex, the position was more delicate and less secure for the District.· For others, the balance between satisfaction and survival is more delicate.· Daniele Audetto was out of the same mould as Luca, but his job was now infinitely more delicate and difficult.· Queequeg is seen to be more delicate and civilized than most of the Christians that Ishmael has known.· Its head is more delicate and its tail less bushy.· A big dray horse might be suited to haul a coal wagon, a more delicate saddle horse to recreational riding.· But here in the valley lies a completely different countryside, smaller and more delicate.· Is there a more delicate way of putting it?
· Which means that even the most delicate of dishes will rise to the occasion.· They have a mania for getting at the most delicate parts of the engine.· Unfortunately they are not all able to survive in an aquarium and some of the most colourful varieties are the most delicate.· But instead of admonishing him, they were handling his ego as if it were the most delicate of flowers.· Here MacLeod is able to activate the past by the most delicate retrieval.· How can I when I know that even this body is a most delicate piece of machinery?· Unfortunately they are also some of the most delicate.· Her somnolent black eyes and tenderly pursed pink lips intrude upon the eggshell delicacy of her face with the most delicate affection.
· There had been stone dragons, and jade dragons so delicate that they disintegrated at a puff of breath.· Not surprisingly, she advocates a balance, but one so delicate as to require almost daily adjustment.· Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to hot and dry conditions because their skins are so delicate and permeable to water.· Being so delicate, it is not available in large quantities commercially.· The bowl of Rostov's was so delicate that he felt that if he closed his hand too suddenly it would shatter.· Who but Ashton would have thought of giving this country yokel so delicate a movement?· You could not be afraid of it, you could not possibly fear something so delicate and so insubstantial.
· But the delicious food had been too delicate for their hearty taste.· Louis plane was too delicate to dismantle and assemble for each stop.· The issues may be too delicate to handle or too difficult to put your finger on precisely.· Other aromatic varieties are either too delicate to cultivate in Champagne or too late ripening to bear fruit.· Even when the forms of such things as halberds or hoe-blades were rendered in jade they were too delicate for functional use.· Claudel is bringing your little trinket back for some adjustments. Too delicate for us to handle.· McPherson's lay-off found McCall with an unobstructed view of goal but the final attempt was too delicate and Verlinden saved easily.
· Her designs are classical and very delicate, mainly in 18-carat gold jewellery and set with precious stones and pearls.· He had Reacher and the gunner lean out to watch the very delicate tail rotor.· Watercolours of a very delicate or atmospheric style will exhibit greater subtlety when painted on Hot Pressed surfaces.· Octopuses are very delicate animals that are sensitive to nitrogenous and other waste products of fish.· His speech was never very delicate but Matilda was used to it.· It was very delicate and prone to break down.· I hope they can throw some light on a very delicate matter?· I did some very delicate checking.
NOUN· He knew she was nervous and that this reporter was pressing the superintendent on the most delicate areas of the investigation.· Here we come to a delicate area.
· Again, that may not sound much but it's more than enough to disrupt the delicate balance of different gases.· For these folks, temperature control is a delicate balance.· This is a delicate balance to strike.· Good proposal writing is a delicate balance of presenting your intentions in dealing with your research problem.· Adenosine helps regulate the delicate balance between blood flow and urine output.· This delicate balance had to be maintained.· They upset the delicate balance of interests on which high organizational performance is so often based.
· He has a delicate face, like a woman's, and his eyes are dark.· Her eyes were huge and green and almond shaped, surprisingly catlike in her delicate face.· He had large dark eyes, like pears set in port wine aspic, deep pools in a thin, delicate face.· Hearing the noise of the car she turned and he saw a peaked, delicate face framed with red-gold hair.· Marilyn Krnkka was a black-haired woman with a thin, delicate face.· This was his supreme moment; yet his delicate face and sombre eyes remained impassive, showed no vestige of emotion.· A blur of fair hair, a delicate face, young.
· Their skin is rough and sometimes striped, with a sweet and scented delicate flavour.· Formosa Oolong A semi-fermented or oxidised tea with a delicate flavour.· After centuries of crumbling gently before exciting our taste buds with your delicate flavour you have finally departed your origins.
· She placed a small delicate hand on it and bade Miriam good-night.· His face seemed so pale against the dark of her graceful, delicate hand.· Her delicate hands began to shake.· The macaques' delicate hands look remarkably human and are well adapted for grasping and holding objects.· He sat quite still, his delicate hands folded in his lap.· He saw her white, delicate hands.· Small and soft, with little bones and delicate hands and feet.
· Difficult as it may be, he should attempt to settle more delicate issues.· On his list of things to do, these delicate issues hung suspended like icicles from a limb.· There is also the associated and delicate issue of contact between internal reformers and reforming pressure groups.· Flexibility can be a delicate issue, particularly in a work unit with an inflexible boss.
· I hope they can throw some light on a very delicate matter?· Given that we have victims, we come to the delicate matter of breeding.· Let us settle these delicate matters between ourselves.
· Eurotunnel's prospects will only become apparent once the delicate negotiations with the banks and contractors have been completed.· Five o'clock is the blessed hour after work and before decisions, the delicate negotiation on a public phone.
· Security codes covering delicate operations have - even as we stand here - been altered.· But that is a delicate operation.· This can be a delicate operation since it is desirable that this card fill most of its allotted area.· Friends have chipped in to raise £7,000 to pay for the delicate operation.
· These developments face the churches and theology with a whole series of difficult and delicate questions.· The delicate question of which divinity is absorbing which is not always clear.· The solution turns on delicate questions of the textual criticism of a few texts.· No answer was immediately forthcoming to the delicate question but investigations will now doubtless continue amid fears of a Government cover-up.· The controversy ran contemporaneous with a delicate question of authority.· I raise the delicate question he's been avoiding.
· The sun can easily damage a child's delicate skin.· Stephen lurched and pushed against her, bumping painfully on her, grinding his pelvis into the delicate skin of her crutch.
· His hand stung and his head hurt and he felt in no shape to begin the delicate task of restarting their relationship.· I had the immense and delicate task of restoring confidence in Kambawe.· Harvesting is a delicate task requiring deft fingers and precision, for which women are supposed by nature to be peculiarly suited.· Unravelling these consequences and deciding which merit assessment is an exceptionally delicate task.
· Pascoe noticed how nimble his hands were: long fingers, a delicate touch.· Smooth as oiled silk, his skin excited her delicate touch.· She squirmed at the delicate touch and even the wall at her back felt sensuous.· He had a surprisingly delicate touch and the silver star was going to look beautiful when it was finished.
· He says that it's been very delicate work, but they think that they have found all the bones.
There’s something I have to speak to you about – it’s a delicate matter. delicate negotiations► see thesaurus at difficult2easily damaged or broken SYN fragile: delicate hand-cut glass The sun can easily damage a child’s delicate skin.3 old-fashioned someone who is delicate is hurt easily or easily becomes ill: a delicate child► see thesaurus at ill, weak4a part of the body that is delicate is attractive and graceful: Her wrists and ankles were slim and delicate. her delicate features5made skilfully and with attention to the smallest details: a plate with a delicate pattern of leaves6a taste, smell, or colour that is delicate is pleasant and not strong: The wine has a dry delicate flavour. a delicate pink—delicately adverb → indelicate