delicate

About 11.22 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.

   Those clothes are made from delicate lace.

2. adjective Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.

   Her face was delicate.

3. adjective Intended for use with fragile items.

   Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle.

4. adjective Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.

   delicate behaviour

5. adjective Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.

   a delicate child

6. adjective Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.

   Please don't speak so loudly: I'm feeling a bit delicate this morning.

7. adjective Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.
8. adjective Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.

   a delicate dish

Similar words

dainty tender overdelicate exquisite light-handed soft fine hard subtle difficult

Often followed by

and balance as in matter task health a to

Word family

delicately delicater delicates delicatest