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Delicate

/ˈdɛlɪkət/

A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.

📖 Definitions of "Delicate"

noun

1
A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.
"Don't put that in with your jeans: it's a delicate!"
2
A choice dainty; a delicacy.
3
A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

adjective

1
Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.
"The negotiations were very delicate."
2
Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.
"Her face was delicate."
3
Intended for use with fragile items.
"Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle."
4
Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.
"delicate attentions"

23 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
tendernoun	Sensitive or painful to the touch.
exquisitenoun	Especially or extraordinarily fine or pleasing; exceptional.
etherealnoun	Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy; tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as form, manner, thought, etc.
refinednoun	(of processes) Developed, improved.
softnoun	Easily giving way under pressure.
frailnoun	Easily broken physically; not firm or durable; liable to fail and perish.
gossamernoun	Anything delicate, light and flimsy.
daintynoun	Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
hardnoun	(of material or fluid) Solid and firm.
difficultverb	Hard, not easy, requiring much effort.
finenoun	Senses referring to subjective quality.
skilled	Having or showing skill; skillful.
sensitivenoun	(of a person) Easily offended, upset, or hurt.
subtlenoun	Senses relating to tangible things.
fragilenoun	Easily broken, not sturdy; of delicate material.
finespun	delicate and subtle, with fine detail
light-handed	Gentle; benign and with minimal intervention.
breakablenoun	Able to break or be broken.
pastelnoun	Any of several subdued tints of colors, usually associated with pink, peach, yellow, green, blue, and lavender.
ticklish	Sensitive or susceptible to being tickled.
overdelicate	Excessively delicate.
untoughened	Not toughened.
half-hardynoun	(botany) A plant that requires protection against frost.

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
rugged	(of a person) Strong, sturdy, well-built.

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
dainty	Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
tender	Sensitive or painful to the touch.
overdelicate	Excessively delicate.
exquisite	Especially or extraordinarily fine or pleasing; exceptional.
light-handed	Gentle; benign and with minimal intervention.
soft	Easily giving way under pressure.
fine	Senses referring to subjective quality.
hard	(of material or fluid) Solid and firm.
subtle	Senses relating to tangible things.
difficult	Hard, not easy, requiring much effort.
skilled	Having or showing skill; skillful.
sensitive	(of a person) Easily offended, upset, or hurt.
refined	(of processes) Developed, improved.
ticklish	Sensitive or susceptible to being tickled.
fragile	Easily broken, not sturdy; of delicate material.
frail	Easily broken physically; not firm or durable; liable to fail and perish.
breakable	Able to break or be broken.
finespun	delicate and subtle, with fine detail
ethereal	Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy; tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as form, manner, thought, etc.
untoughened	Not toughened.