delicate
Requiring gentle handling
Delicate things may be fragile or sensitive and require special handling or treatment (delicate spider’s web, delicate fabric).
With reference to people and their feelings, delicate suggests susceptibility to injury, illness, or insult: Her delicate constitution couldn’t withstand the harsh winter.
With regard to taste, texture, or smell, especially in cooking, delicate is used appreciatively to suggest subtleties that delight the senses.
Liable to shatter
- breakableCapable of shattering
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- frailWeak and breakable
- frangibleCapable of being broken
shatterable · crumbly · flimsy · tender · weak · dainty · perishable · insubstantial
Delicately translucent
- gauzyThin and transparent
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- filmyThin and translucent
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
translucent · transparent · wispy · floaty · airy · lightweight · chiffon · voile
Yielding to touch
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- tenderSoft or sore
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
- subtleNot immediately obvious
mild · soothing · faint · whisper · caress · breeze · zephyr · murmur
Elegant in movement
- refinedPurified or cultured
- exquisiteFlawlessly crafted, delicate
- daintyDelicately small and pretty
- tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing
sophisticated · fine · subtle · understated · ornate · filigree · intricate · polished
Showing extreme attention to detail
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- intricateElaborately detailed, many parts
- fineAcceptable in quality
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
subtle · exact · measured · calibrated · scrupulous · painstaking · detailed · refined
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- tenderSoft or sore
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
imperiled · endangered · unprotected · threatened · at-risk · precarious · defenseless · insecure
Socially sensitive and careful
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- considerateMindful of others' needs
touchy · tricky · thorny · sticky · contentious · fraught · awkward · precarious
brittle
Liable to shatter
frangible · shatterable · crumbly · flimsy · tender · weak · dainty · perishable · insubstantial · lacy
diaphanous
Delicately translucent
sheer · translucent · transparent · wispy · floaty · airy · lightweight · chiffon · voile · organza
soft
Yielding to touch
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- tenderSoft or sore
- featherlightExtremely light, weightless-feeling
subtle · mild · soothing · faint · whisper · caress · breeze · zephyr · murmur · balmy
graceful
Elegant in movement
tasteful · sophisticated · fine · subtle · understated · ornate · filigree · intricate · polished · cultured
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- intricateElaborately detailed, many parts
- fineAcceptable in quality
nuanced · subtle · exact · measured · calibrated · scrupulous · painstaking · detailed · refined · deft
exposed
Out in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
- tenderSoft or sore
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
sensitive · imperiled · endangered · unprotected · threatened · at-risk · precarious · defenseless · insecure · unshielded
tactful
Socially sensitive and careful
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
- carefulExercising caution and attention
considerate · touchy · tricky · thorny · sticky · contentious · fraught · awkward · precarious · ticklish
weak
Lacking power or force
infirm · pale · wan · peaked · ailing · unwell · poorly · slight · slender · wispy
- art adjectivesbold, bright, colorful, dark, dramatic
- dance qualitiesfluidity, graceful, musicality, rhythmic, grace
- fabric texturessoft, smooth, rough, silky, fuzzy
- Flavor Intensitymild, strong, bold, subtle, intense
- handwritingcursive, block letters, penmanship, print letters, legible
- jewelry stylesvintage, antique, art deco, art nouveau, Victorian
delicateinsensitive
Unaware of others' emotions
indelicate · tactless · blunt · crude · crass
- delicate balance
- delicate beauty
- delicate cycleMild laundering setting
- delicate washCareful laundering setting
- local delicaciesPlace-specific culinary specialties
- exotic delicacyUncommon prized food
delicacy, indelicate, delicately, delicacies, delicateness, delicates, indelicacy, indelicately