highly delicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly delicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very fragile or sensitive, often in contexts related to art, materials, or situations requiring careful handling. Example: "The highly delicate nature of the artwork requires special care during transportation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"It's highly delicate," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Walcott and later workers have used several different methods to excavate these highly delicate fossils.

University of California, Berkeley

Social change is a highly delicate matter, and efforts there seem likely to meet continuing resistance.

The New York Times

The symmetry of these proposals was highly delicate -- knocking out any element collapsed the whole.

The New York Times

Given that this is not "patient data" but "patients' data", handling large personal private datasets is a highly delicate issue.

The Guardian

Ms. García, 38, who was in charge of highly delicate internal investigations in Ciudad Juárez, was killed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The tea, called Australian Winter Shin-Cha, is highly perfumed, silky and extremely delicate.

The New York Times

They are highly variable, delicate, sensitive to bad handling and to climate conditions.

The New York Times - Food

Where things get interesting is in the use of a Pinot Noir solera to cultivate a highly polished, delicate flavor profile.

Forbes

Vascular surgeons perform numerous highly sophisticated and delicate procedures.

Journal of Vascular Surgery

It was clean, delicate, highly arranged and not outwardly virtuosic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "highly delicate", ensure that the context clearly indicates why careful handling or sensitivity is required. For instance, specify the potential consequences of mishandling the situation or object.

Common error

Avoid using "highly delicate" when a simpler adjective like "fragile" or "sensitive" suffices. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider the actual degree of delicacy involved and choose the most appropriate descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly delicate" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its state of being easily damaged or requiring careful handling. Ludwig examples show its usage across different domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly delicate" is a versatile adjective used to underscore the need for care and precision. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically sound and appears across various domains, notably in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, consider if a simpler adjective like "fragile" or "sensitive" might be more appropriate, but when emphasis is needed, "highly delicate" effectively conveys the importance of careful handling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely fragile

Emphasizes the physical vulnerability of something.

very sensitive

Focuses on the susceptibility to external influences or damage.

particularly precarious

Highlights the instability or risk involved.

exceedingly fine

Implies a refined or intricate nature that requires careful handling.

remarkably fragile

Stresses the unusual degree of fragility.

exceptionally sensitive

Underscores the heightened sensitivity.

intensely vulnerable

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or attack.

terribly brittle

Emphasizes the ease with which something can break.

uncommonly frail

Indicates a rare or unusual level of weakness or fragility.

highly susceptible

Highlights vulnerability to influence or harm.

FAQs

How can I use "highly delicate" in a sentence?

You can use "highly delicate" to describe objects, situations, or processes that require careful handling. For example, "The negotiation process is in a "highly delicate" stage", or "The museum curator handled the "highly delicate" artifact with extreme care".

What's the difference between "highly delicate" and "fragile"?

"Fragile" primarily refers to the physical vulnerability of an object, while "highly delicate" can also apply to intangible things like situations or relationships. "Fragile" focuses on the likelihood of breaking, whereas "highly delicate" emphasizes the need for careful handling to avoid problems.

What can I say instead of "highly delicate" to describe something that's easily broken?

You can use alternatives like "extremely fragile", "very brittle", or "easily damaged" to describe something that's easily broken.

Is it always appropriate to use "highly delicate"?

While "highly delicate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, its appropriateness depends on the context. In some cases, simpler words like "sensitive" or "fragile" may be more fitting. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnatural or overly dramatic.