DELICATE


Meaning of DELICATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ delɪkət ]

1.

Something that is delicate is small and beautifully shaped.

He had delicate hands.

= dainty

ADJ : usu ADJ n

• deli‧cate‧ly

She was a shy, delicately pretty girl with enormous blue eyes.

= daintily

ADV : ADV adj / -ed

2.

Something that is delicate has a colour, taste, or smell which is pleasant and not strong or intense.

Young haricot beans have a tender texture and a delicate, subtle flavour...

= subtle

ADJ

• deli‧cate‧ly

...a soup delicately flavoured with nutmeg.

ADV : ADV -ed / adj

3.

If something is delicate , it is easy to harm, damage, or break, and needs to be handled or treated carefully.

Although the coral looks hard, it is very delicate.

= fragile

≠ robust

ADJ

4.

Someone who is delicate is not healthy and strong, and becomes ill easily.

She was physically delicate and psychologically unstable.

= frail

ADJ : usu v-link ADJ

5.

You use delicate to describe a situation, problem, matter, or discussion that needs to be dealt with carefully and sensitively in order to avoid upsetting things or offending people.

The European members are afraid of upsetting the delicate balance of political interests...

ADJ

• deli‧cate‧ly

...a delicately-worded memo.

ADV : ADV with v

6.

A delicate task, movement, action, or product needs or shows great skill and attention to detail.

...a long and delicate operation carried out at a hospital in Florence...

ADJ

• deli‧cate‧ly

...the delicately embroidered sheets.

ADV : ADV with v

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.