delicately

/ˈdelɪkətli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdelɪkətli/ (ame, ipa)

delicately — adverb

1. with gentle, precise physical movements that prevent breaking or harming somethi

1.副詞B2
釋義

with gentle, precise physical movements that prevent breaking or harming something fragile

例句

Liam lifted the old glass vase delicately and placed it on the high shelf.

position between compound verbs

The surgeon worked delicately to avoid damaging the tiny blood vessels.

delicately + to-infinitive purpose

同義詞
  • gently

    softer and broader in meaning; not limited to avoiding breakage

  • carefully

    more general; can apply to any cautious action, not only fragile objects

  • precisely

    focuses on exactness of movement rather than gentleness

反義詞
  • roughly

    implies force that could cause breakage

  • clumsily

    implies lack of control that might damage objects

文法句型

verb + delicately

delicately + verb

用法筆記

Frequently appears with verbs of touch or handling such as lift, place, brush, handle, peel, or move. The object is typically something breakable, fragile, or easily harmed.

常見錯誤

❌He delicately picked up the heavy moving box.
✅He carefully picked up the heavy moving box.
💡'delicately' suggests the object needs gentle handling because it is fragile; 'carefully' is correct for protecting oneself from a heavy object.
❌She spoke delicately about the broken glass.
✅She spoke carefully about the broken glass.
💡'delicately' describes the physical handling of fragile things, not cautious speech about danger.

2. with careful attention to people's feelings and reactions, so that no one is ups

2.副詞B2
釋義

with careful attention to people's feelings and reactions, so that no one is upset or insulted by what is said or done

例句

When Charlotte asked about the divorce, she chose her words delicately.

delicately with verb of choosing speech

The manager explained the layoffs delicately, choosing each word with care.

同義詞
  • tactfully

    emphasises knowing the right thing to say in a sensitive situation

  • diplomatically

    implies skill in handling relationships, especially between groups or parties

  • sensitively

    focuses on awareness of others' feelings, slightly broader than delicately

反義詞
  • bluntly

    says things directly without softening the impact

  • tactlessly

    lacks awareness of how words might hurt or offend

文法句型

verb + delicately

delicately + verb

用法筆記

Commonly modifies verbs of communication — mention, ask, explain, raise, broach, phrase, word. The adverb implies both awareness of sensitivity and skill in navigating it successfully. Frequently used in professional or formal contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She delicately told him he was fired, and he burst into tears.
✅She broke the news of his dismissal delicately, so he felt respected.
💡'delicately' implies the handling actually succeeds in avoiding or softening hurt, not merely attempting it.
❌He delicately demanded a raise.
✅He delicately brought up the topic of a raise.
💡'delicately' works better with gentle verbs like bring up or mention, not forceful ones like demand.

3. in a soft, light, or gentle manner that is pleasing to the senses, especially ta

3.副詞B2
釋義

in a soft, light, or gentle manner that is pleasing to the senses, especially taste, smell, touch, or sound

例句

The flowers in the garden smelled delicately sweet on the warm summer evening.

delicately + adjective of smell (sweet)

Piotr played the piano piece delicately, letting each note float through the quiet room.

同義詞
  • softly

    focuses on low intensity of sound, touch, or light

  • lightly

    suggests a small amount or subtle presence, e.g. of a flavour or scent

  • subtly

    emphasises that the quality is present but not obvious or overpowering

反義詞
  • harshly

    produces an unpleasant, strong effect on the senses

  • strongly

    intense or overpowering in flavour, smell, or effect

文法句型

delicately + adjective

verb + delicately

用法筆記

Common before adjectives in sensory descriptions (sweet, soft, light, fragrant). Also modifies verbs of sensory experience (smell, feel, taste, sound). This sense appears more often in descriptive writing than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The food was delicately spicy, burning my mouth.
✅The food was delicately flavoured, adding a hint of spice.
💡'delicately' with sensory words describes something pleasantly mild, not strong or intense.