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delicateeasily broken, damaged, or requiring careful handling

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: easily broken, damaged, or requiring careful handling

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdelɪkət/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother's china is so delicate that even a sneeze might break it.
  • The chef prepared a delicate sauce that complemented the fish perfectly.
  • He handled the delicate negotiation like a surgeon with butterfingers.

delicate

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈdelɪkət/]

easily broken, damaged, or requiring careful handling

The child carefully held the delicate butterfly.
💡 Concept

The child carefully held the delicate butterfly.

Everyone moved slowly around the delicate kitten.
🧠 Mnemonic

Everyone moved slowly around the delicate kitten.

They faced a delicate situation, communicated carefully, and learned to appreciate one another.
🎵 Rhyme

They faced a delicate situation, communicated carefully, and learned to appreciate one another.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdelɪkət/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈdelɪkət/

🌳Etymology

Rootdelic
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin 'delicatus' meaning 'soft, tender, or dainty,' possibly derived from 'deliciae' meaning 'delight' or 'pleasure.' The word entered English through Old French in the 14th century.

Breakdown

delicatus (Latin: soft, tender) + -ate (adjective suffix) = delicate

🎵Rhyme

intricateduplicatearticulate
intricate
duplicate
articulate

🔗Collocations

delicate situation
delicate balance
delicate flavor
delicate touch
delicate operation
delicate fabric

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's china is so delicate that even a sneeze might break it.

The chef prepared a delicate sauce that complemented the fish perfectly.

😄 Fun example

He handled the delicate negotiation like a surgeon with butterfingers.

The delicate flower petals felt like silk between her fingers.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

fragilefinesubtlegentletender

Antonyms

roughcoarsesturdy

Related

elegantrefinedintricatesensitive

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