English Reference
Adverb

delicately

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈdɛɫəkətɫi/ UK /dˈɛlɪkətli/ del·i·cate·ly

adv.in a very careful or gentle way. You do this when you are handling something that breaks easily or when you are dealing with a difficult situation.

adv.in a manner that is careful, precise, or sensitive to potential damage or offense.


SIMPLE

She placed the glass vase delicately on the shelf.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager had to handle the situation delicately to avoid hurting anyone's feelings during the meeting.

COMPLEX

The restorer worked delicately on the ancient manuscript, using fine tools to ensure the fragile parchment remained intact throughout the cleaning process.

Usage

Typically follows the verb it modifies or the direct object.

Now add Brian Friel, whose sparkling script “after Turgenev” is spun so delicately that it appears both of its time and a universal story of pained love and marriage.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

From delicate + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated