[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/delicate/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / delicate

# delicate

adjective (delicate, more delicate, most delicate)

«delicate» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Delicate means easily broken or damaged, so it needs gentle care. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#m1)
2. Delicate means fine, thin or light and pretty, like lace or a butterfly's wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#m2)
3. A delicate taste, colour or smell is soft and not strong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#m3)
4. A delicate situation needs careful handling so nobody is upset. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#m4)

### In the lessons

In everyday life: delicate glasses, eggs, wash on a delicate cycle. In science, ecosystems and coral reefs are delicate. In stories, a delicate problem needs tact. Phrases: «handle with care, delicate», «a delicate balance», «a delicate matter».

### Examples

- Be careful, the glass vase is very delicate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x1)
- A butterfly has delicate wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x2)
- Wash this jumper on the delicate setting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x3)
- The soup had a delicate flavour of herbs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x4)
- Coral reefs are delicate and easily damaged. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x5)
- Telling your friend the truth was a delicate matter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x6)
- The lace on the dress was delicate and white. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x7)
- She was pretty and delicate indeed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/#x8)

### Note

Pronounced «DEL-i-kut». Opposites: «strong», «sturdy», «tough». The noun is «delicacy», which can also mean a special food. Not to be confused with «delicious». Not a number word.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means soft and used to comfort, a person who is pampered. In the primary lessons: In everyday life: delicate glasses, eggs, wash on a delicate cycle. In science, ecosystems and coral reefs are delicate. In stories, a delicate problem needs tact. Phrases: «handle with care, delicate», «a delicate balance», «a delicate matter».

### Examples

- The man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil against his brother, and against the wife of his bosom, and against the remnant of his children whom he hath remaining; (Torah DEU.28.54, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/delicate/#x1)
- The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I cut off. (Prophets JER.6.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/delicate/#x2)
- Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. (Prophets ISA.47.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/delicate/#x3)

### Note

Pronounced «DEL-i-kut». Opposites: «strong», «sturdy», «tough». The noun is «delicacy», which can also mean a special food. Not to be confused with «delicious». Not a number word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «delicate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/delicate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«delicate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/delicate.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «delicate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/delicate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«delicate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/delicate.html) on Mova free.