delicate

/ˈdelɪkət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdelɪkət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-li-kət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdel.ɪ.kət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdel.ə.kət/ (ame, ipa)

delicate — adjective

  • delicatepositive
  • more delicatecomparative
  • most delicatesuperlative

1. Something that is easily broken, hurt, or spoiled if not handled with care.

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Something that is easily broken, hurt, or spoiled if not handled with care.

例句

The antique vase was so delicate that Eri wrapped it in three layers of bubble wrap.

collocation: delicate vase / delicate fabric

A newborn baby's skin is very delicate, so you should use only the softest towels.

同義詞
  • fragile

    the closest synonym; emphasises breakability more than the need for care

  • brittle

    describes hard objects that crack easily, like glass or dry biscuits

  • frail

    used mainly for people or animals with weak bodies, especially from age

反義詞
  • sturdy

    strong and unlikely to break

  • tough

    able to withstand rough handling without damage

文法句型

delicate + noun (fabric, skin, structure, plant)

be + delicate

常見錯誤

❌The box is very delicate, so it will protect the gift.
✅The vase is very delicate, so pack it carefully.
💡Delicate means easily damaged, not strong or protective.
❌She has a delicate illness.
✅She is in delicate health after the surgery.
💡Delicate describes a vulnerable condition, not a specific disease.

2. Requiring careful thought or skillful treatment to achieve a good result, especi

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Requiring careful thought or skillful treatment to achieve a good result, especially when the task is complex or the risks are high.

例句

Negotiating the peace treaty was a delicate process that took months of talks.

collocation: delicate process / delicate negotiations

The surgeon performed a delicate operation on the patient's eye to restore their sight.

同義詞
  • tricky

    more informal; emphasises difficulty rather than the skill required

  • sensitive

    overlaps with sense 3; suggests the task involves feelings or personal matters

反義詞

文法句型

delicate + task / operation / process / negotiations

常見錯誤

❌This is a very delicate work.
✅This is very delicate work.
💡Delicate is an adjective, not used as a noun in this sense.

3. A situation or subject that could cause trouble, anger, or embarrassment if not

3.形容詞B2
釋義

A situation or subject that could cause trouble, anger, or embarrassment if not handled very carefully.

例句

Who will lead the team is a delicate matter that must be discussed privately.

collocation: delicate matter / delicate issue

Eri faced a delicate situation when both friends asked her to take sides in their argument.

同義詞
  • sensitive

    very similar; sensitive more strongly suggests personal feelings are involved

  • touchy

    informal; suggests people react with quick anger or defensiveness

反義詞
  • safe

    unlikely to cause offence or difficulty

  • uncontroversial

    not likely to cause disagreement or argument

文法句型

delicate + matter / issue / subject / topic / situation

be + delicate (of situations)

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was very delicate.
✅The topic discussed at the meeting was very delicate.
💡The situation or subject is delicate, not the event itself.
❌Money is a delicate thing between friends.
✅Money is a delicate matter between friends.
💡Use matter, issue, or subject rather than thing.

4. Able to detect, measure, or respond to extremely small changes or differences wi

4.形容詞C1
釋義

Able to detect, measure, or respond to extremely small changes or differences with great accuracy.

例句

The laboratory uses a delicate instrument that can measure temperature changes of one thousandth of a degree.

instrument as subject: delicate instrument

This delicate scale can detect a single grain of sand added to a bowl of rice.

同義詞
  • sensitive

    overlapping but broader; sensitive equipment responds to input, while delicate emphasises fine precision

  • precise

    focuses on accuracy of measurement rather than the ability to detect small changes

反義詞
  • robust

    describes equipment that is strong and can tolerate rough conditions, but may lack fine sensitivity

  • coarse

    opposite of fine precision; measures only large changes

文法句型

delicate + instrument / sensor / equipment / scale

用法筆記

Subject is usually a measuring or detecting device — instrument, scale, sensor, microscope, or equipment. Also used attributively: a delicate instrument.

常見錯誤

❌She has a delicate ear for music.
✅She has a sensitive ear for music.
💡For human senses, use sensitive, not delicate.

5. Soft, light, or mild in a pleasant way — for example, a gentle taste, a quiet so

5.形容詞B1
釋義

Soft, light, or mild in a pleasant way — for example, a gentle taste, a quiet sound, or a pale colour.

例句

The baby's skin had a delicate scent of lavender and baby powder after her bath.

collocation: delicate scent / delicate flavour

Valentina chose a delicate shade of pink for the walls of the nursery room.

同義詞
  • subtle

    emphasises that something is not strong or obvious; often used for flavours and colours

  • gentle

    focuses on the softness and lack of force; common for breezes, sounds, and touches

反義詞
  • strong

    intense or powerful in flavour, smell, or effect

  • harsh

    rough or unpleasant to the senses; opposite of gentle

文法句型

delicate + flavour / scent / shade / breeze / melody

常見錯誤

❌The soup tastes very delicate and rich.
✅The soup has a delicate flavour
💡light and subtle, not heavy.' — Delicate means mild/subtle, not rich or strong.
❌The music is very delicate and loud.
✅The music is very delicate and quiet.
💡Delicate sounds are soft, not loud.

6. Small or thin in an attractive and graceful way, especially with fine details or

6.形容詞B2
釋義

Small or thin in an attractive and graceful way, especially with fine details or elegant proportions.

例句

The artist painted delicate flowers along the edges of an old wooden box from the market.

collocation: delicate features / delicate flowers

Kemi admired the delicate patterns carved into the surface of the ivory bracelet.

同義詞
  • dainty

    similar but more about smallness and prettiness; often used for food or decorative items

  • fine

    emphasises thinness and careful detail; common for thread, writing, or workmanship

  • intricate

    focuses on the complexity of detail rather than the thinness

反義詞
  • coarse

    rough or thick in texture or appearance

  • clumsy

    lacking grace or fine detail

文法句型

delicate + features / hands / flowers / pattern / carving / chain

用法筆記

Describes physical objects with thin, fine, or graceful features — commonly hands, fingers, features, carving, jewellery, lace, or flowers.

常見錯誤

❌She is very delicate.' (when describing someone's thin body as attractive)
✅She has delicate features.' or 'Her hands are delicate.
💡Delicate for a person's whole body can sound like they are frail or sick, not attractively thin.

delicate — noun