How to Use delicate in a Sentence

delicate

1 of 2 adjective
  • The tomb was adorned with delicate carvings.
  • The fabric has a delicate floral print.
  • We hung delicate lace curtains in the windows.
  • He has a delicate stomach and often gets sick when traveling.
  • The air beaten into the egg whites make the crumb of the cake very delicate and airy.
    Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2024
  • That’s because the delicate skin around the eyes tends to be thinner.
    Deanna Pai, Glamour, 13 June 2023
  • The slimy, shell-less mollusks turned the delicate leaves to Swiss cheese, leaving trails of sticky ooze in their wake.
    Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 24 May 2023
  • Contrary to belief, some eye creams are delicate enough to be applied to the lips.
    Samantha Mims, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
  • Made from a polyester and spandex blend, the set can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle.
    Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
  • The pies are cooked in a 900°F Stefano Ferrara oven and come out with a puffy crust with charred edges and a delicate center.
    Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
  • Cold butter: Cut in to the biscuit dough for a flaky, delicate result.
    Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
  • Hints of yuzu salt and shiso flower do not detract from the delicate sweetness of a slice of hamachi, for instance.
    Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023
  • Apply Eye Cream The delicate area under your eyes may start to thin and change around your late 20s and early 30s.
    Hallie Gould, Health, 25 Nov. 2023
  • The valves in the veins are delicate structures and often don’t last an entire lifetime.
    Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 June 2023
  • But instead, the pair came nose-to-nose during a delicate encounter.
    Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024
  • His delicate still life images of flowers set the tone for this lineup.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2024
  • The delicate flakes of sea salt are sure to elevate their next batch of homemade goodies.
    Molly Allen, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2023
  • Their delicate fabric has a rustic look that gives the room that final touch of warmth it’s been missing.
    Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2023
  • These delicate yeast rolls sprinkled with sea salt will please your crowd, but do not count on having too many left over.
    Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2023
  • The whiskey is delicate and decadent, with notes of oak, chocolate, dark stone fruit, and tobacco on the palate—a worthwhile splurge for sure.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
  • Vibrant yet delicate hues of orange painted the sky, a thin veil of cloud cover soaking up the fiery tones.
    Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023
  • For starters, Savannah spoke in a soft, delicate voice.
    Bernice Yeung, The New Yorker, 26 July 2023
  • After a week or two, you will be rewarded with delicate green shoots that can go in salads, or on top of soups and dips.
    Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024
  • Paul Wong, artistic director at the time, helped Jaramillo use hand-ground earth pigments and linens to make the delicate pieces.
    Eva Recinos, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2023
  • The film paints a delicate portrait of life outside all bounds, capturing the bold colors of the city in contrast to the grit of its avenues and mountain ranges.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 5 Aug. 2023
  • This pixie was chopped by mononym hairstyling legend Garren, who gave her delicate baby bangs to match the short chop.
    Margaux Anbouba, ELLE, 25 July 2023
  • Photo: Carey MacArthur The final look was slick but soft, tailored but delicate, and timeless but fresh.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024
  • Instead, the car retains its rain gutters and delicate chrome trim, with modest 15-inch wheels and a single tailpipe.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 11 July 2023
  • The singer’s resistance to top-of-face tweaking does not extend to her delicate brows, which pay homage to a living legend.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023
  • Its reclaimed fence posts contrast delicate gold and floral details in the room.
    Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
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delicate

2 of 2 noun
  • One knocked its antlers against the boards and then tucked itself back into the flow, eyes rolling in a face delicate from the side but moose-like and broad from the front.
    Juliana Hanle, Scientific American, 18 Nov. 2019
  • Protect your delicates from the rest of the items in your bag by tucking them inside the little cloth bag that comes with a new pair of shoes or a new handbag.
    Brooke Shunatona, Cosmopolitan, 8 July 2014
  • This product is safe for use on colors, delicates, and even hand-washable items.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2023
  • The two steam levels, high for sturdy fabrics and low for delicates and the option to use it dry with no steam at all, helped it compete with the corded irons in our tests.
    Sarah Bogdan, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2019
  • Once dry, stack your delicates together in your drawer to help them maintain their shape.
    Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, 3 Nov. 2017
  • To ensure that delicates, especially knits, don't stretch out of shape, always lay them flat to dry.
    Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping, 2 Apr. 2015
  • Delicate beading covers the sleeves and the bodice, while scalloped beading dramatically drapes down over the skirt.
    Lauren Smith, House Beautiful, 6 Apr. 2017
  • Made by a Certified B Corporation, this set of bags for delicates is one of the most affordable and packable options.
    Molly Harris, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023
  • Like so many other collections, this line celebrates the delicate, homey look of woven or handmade decor.
    Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2022
  • Woolite is a home run, along with any other detergents geared toward delicates.
    Shelby Deering, Country Living, 7 Feb. 2020
  • Boyd suggests turning the item inside out, and agrees that using a mesh bag—which also comes in handy for washing delicates and lingerie—to protect from friction and snagging is best.
    Alexandra Ilyashov, Glamour, 7 Apr. 2020
  • Made to fit dames of all sizes, Trashy Diva also offers lingerie, corsets and other delicates at its sister shop behind Jackson Square.
    Grace Wilson, NOLA.com, 1 Aug. 2017
  • These include normal, quick, heavy-duty, bulky, rinse and spin, delicates, and permanent press cycles.
    Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2023
  • The top machine handles a full load while the mini washer is perfect for delicates, athletic wear, or small loads that need special attention.
    Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping, 16 Jan. 2015
  • They are infused with hyaluronic acid, caffeine and marshmallow extract, which help hydrate, depuff and soften the delicate under eye area.
    Nicole Saunders, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2021
  • The Thong’, this classic cotton thong style from Everlane holds the top spot in my delicates drawer because of its breathable material and classic fit.
    Tara Gonzalez, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2019
  • Idiosyncrasies were noted: Some people wash only a few delicates at a time.
    Olivia Martin, Town & Country, 15 Oct. 2018
  • Thanks to their innovative design, these sheets are perfect for delicates, and best of all they can easily be thrown in your suitcase when traveling.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2023
  • However, be aware that plastic restricts airflow, making it a bad choice for delicates, vintage pieces, or heirlooms.
    Jolie Kerr, Esquire, 14 Oct. 2016
  • The spacious sink gets plenty of use for handwashing delicates, filling water bottles, and soaking swimsuits.
    Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2023
  • The formula combines CeraVe’s usual suspects (ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide) with peptides and caffeine that firm and brighten skin around the delicate under eyes.
    Lindsay Colameo, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2022
  • The handful of delicates worn before the festivities begin—silk robes, chemises, camis, and so forth—also fall into this category.
    Glamour, 29 June 2018
  • The combination of vegetable enzymes and natural minerals work together to effectively lift dirt and grime yet are gentle enough to use on all cloth types, even delicates.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023
  • While sporting lacy delicates won't stop you from getting a great workout, they're definitely not designed for that kind of physical activity.
    Melanie Yates, Redbook, 12 Feb. 2015
  • Unlike some mesh laundry bags, this duo of medium and large zippered bags can go directly from the washing machine into the dryer to continue protecting your delicates throughout the entire cycle.
    Molly Harris, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023
  • The washer has 12 cycles, including activewear, colors, deep clean sanitize, and delicates.
    Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2023
  • The Zakat Foundation of America considers orphans up to 18 years of age to account for the delicate and day-to-day nature of young people unfortunately left to their own devices with often little to no resources to access.
    Rod Berger, Forbes, 11 July 2022
  • Unlike a sheet mask or a traditional skincare face mask, these patches are formulated specifically for your delicate under eyes to target eye-specific issues like fine lines and crow's feet.
    Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping, 29 June 2022
  • With special enzymes, this detergent powerfully yet gently cleans all kinds of fabric, including synthetics and delicates.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023
  • On the global stage, China has attempted to straddle a delicate, if impossible line, of upholding its values of national sovereignty while also not condemning Russia, a geopolitical partner, for the deadly invasion of Ukraine.
    Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'delicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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