The difference between Delicate and Fragile
When used as adjectives, delicate means easily damaged or requiring careful handling, whereas fragile means easily broken or destroyed, and thus often of subtle or intricate structure.
Delicate is also noun with the meaning: a delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.
check bellow for the other definitions of Delicate and Fragile
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Delicate as an adjective:
Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.
Examples:
"Those clothes are made from delicate lace."
"The negotiations were very delicate."
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Delicate as an adjective:
Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.
Examples:
"Her face was delicate."
"The spider wove a delicate web."
"There was a delicate pattern of frost on the window."
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Delicate as an adjective:
Intended for use with fragile items.
Examples:
"Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle."
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Delicate as an adjective:
Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.
Examples:
"delicate behaviour; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness"
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Delicate as an adjective:
Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.
Examples:
"a delicate child; delicate health"
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Delicate as an adjective (informal):
Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.
Examples:
"Please don't speak so loudly: I'm feeling a bit delicate this morning."
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Delicate as an adjective (obsolete):
Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.
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Delicate as an adjective:
Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.
Examples:
"a delicate dish; delicate flavour"
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Delicate as an adjective:
Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful.
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Delicate as an adjective:
Light, or softly tinted; said of a colour.
Examples:
"a delicate shade of blue"
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Delicate as an adjective:
Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
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Delicate as an adjective:
Highly discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite.
Examples:
"a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music"
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Delicate as an adjective:
Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes.
Examples:
"a delicate thermometer"
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Delicate as a noun:
A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.
Examples:
"Don't put that in with your jeans: it's a delicate!"
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Delicate as a noun (obsolete):
A choice dainty; a delicacy.
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Delicate as a noun (obsolete):
A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.
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Fragile as an adjective:
Easily broken or destroyed, and thus often of subtle or intricate structure.
Examples:
"The chemist synthesizes a fragile molecule."
"The UN tries to maintain the fragile peace process in the region."
"He is a very fragile person and gets easily depressed."
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Fragile as an adjective (UK):
Feeling weak or easily disturbed as a result of illness.