delicate
DEL-ih-kit
/ˈdel.ɪ.kət/
Fragile, easily damaged, or requiring exceptionally gentle care and handling.
In garment care, 'delicates' as a noun refers to fine items like silk blouses, lace, or lingerie that cannot endure high agitation.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'delicatus', meaning alluring or tender, which links to 'deliciae' (delight). Over time, the English meaning evolved from pleasing sensory experiences to describing things so finely made that they require tender, cautious handling.
Word relationships
- fragile: Fragile implies easily broken, whereas delicate emphasizes exquisite softness or fine detail alongside vulnerability.
- dainty: Dainty suggests small elegance, whereas delicate focuses on high sensitivity to rough handling.
- sturdy: Sturdy means strong and capable of enduring rough wear or harsh washing cycles.
- robust: Robust implies heavy-duty construction that requires no special care.
Commonly confused with
- dedicate: Dedicate means to commit time or devotion, whereas delicate means fragile or fine.
Word family
- delicately (adverb): In a subtle, careful, or fragile manner.
- delicacy (noun): The quality of being delicate, or a choice food item.
Collocations
- delicate cycle
- delicate fabric
- wash delicates
- delicate weave
Idioms & expressions
- a delicate touch
- delicate situation
Example sentences
- "Place all delicate silk items inside a mesh bag to protect them during the spin cycle." Laundry sorting
- "The museum curator handled the delicate 18th-century lace gown with white cotton gloves." Textile conservation
Memory hook
DELICATE items require DELIGHTFUL care so they don't break. Fine silk demands a delicate touch.
When not to use
Avoid using 'delicate' to mean 'weak' in a insulting way toward robust machinery or heavy fabrics like denim.
Fun facts
- Washing machine 'delicate' cycles use low mechanical speed and extra water volume to cushion fabrics, preventing friction damage.
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