Skip to content

Delicate Definition & Meaning

delicate
adjective
  1. exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury; "a delicate violin passage"; "delicate china"; "a delicate flavor"; "the delicate wing of a butterfly"
  2. marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique; "a surgeon's delicate touch"
  3. easily broken or damaged or destroyed; "a kite too delicate to fly safely"; "fragile porcelain plates"; "fragile old bones"; "a frail craft"
  4. easily hurt; "soft hands"; "a baby's delicate skin"
  5. developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety; "the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense"
  6. difficult to handle; requiring great tact; "delicate negotiations with the big powers";"hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter"; "a touchy subject"
  7. of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely; "almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments"

"Delicate" in song lyrics

See how delicate is used in real songs:

  • "Today summon the rug rat oblivious to what's delicate"
    Aesop Rock — Blue in the Face
  • "Of course I realize to fill the ring, procedure's delicate"
    Aesop Rock f/ Slug — I'll Be OK
  • "I understand a woman's feelings, are very delicate"
    Blue Raspberry f/ Cranston Juliani — Giving Into You Again

Words that rhyme with delicate

Usage tips for "delicate"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "delicate" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for delicate to find words that pair well.

Use "delicate" in a verse

Now that you know what "delicate" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does delicate mean?
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury; "a delicate violin passage"; "delicate china"; "a delicate flavor"; "the delicate wing of a butterfly" marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique; "a surgeon's delicate touch" easily broken or damaged or destroyed; "a kite too delicate to fly safely"; "fragile porcelain plates"; "fragile old bones"; "a frail craft" easily hurt; "soft hands"; "a baby's delicate skin" developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
What part of speech is delicate?
Delicate is an adjective.
How many definitions does delicate have?
Delicate has 7 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

Look up another word