indelicate

Word family

• indelicacy
  nounC1
• indelicately
  adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe speech or behaviour that violates social norms, but they differ in severity and scope. 'Tactless' focuses on social clumsiness — saying the wrong thing without meaning harm ('a tactless remark about her new haircut'). 'Improper' is more formal and suggests a breach of accepted rules of conduct ('improper behaviour at a formal dinner'). 'Coarse' is stronger, implying roughness or vulgarity ('coarse jokes that offended the guests'). 'Indecent' is the strongest, carrying a suggestion of sexual impropriety or moral offensiveness ('indecent photographs'). 'Indelicate' sits between tactless and improper — it describes a remark or action that crosses a social boundary around a sensitive topic, without necessarily being vulgar or immoral. For instance, asking a colleague about their salary is indelicate, not indecent.

Common collocations

Etymology

From Latin 'in-' (not) + 'delicatus' (delightful, pleasing, dainty). The word passed through French 'indélicat' before entering English in the mid-18th century. The root 'delicate' carried senses of refined taste and social sensitivity, so 'indelicate' originally meant lacking that refinement — a quality that later narrowed to focus specifically on social awkwardness around sensitive topics.