relatively delicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively delicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat fragile or sensitive in comparison to other things. Example: "The artist's relatively delicate approach to painting captures the subtleties of light and shadow beautifully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Bubbies has a relatively delicate coating, in bright colors.

The New York Times - Food

Compared with Aztec sculpture, Mayan art forms are relatively delicate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The text was still relatively delicate, concluding: "At OK! we'd love to have our old Britney back.

The New York Times

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is relatively delicate and cannot live for any length of time outside the body.

Independent

A cube's joints are resistant enough to push hollow Lego bricks out of shape, making the bricks unfit for the relatively delicate task of aligning a cube's faces.

The New York Times - Tech

With a building breeze that leveled off at a fresh 25 knots with gusts over 30, the conditions were deemed too boisterous for the relatively delicate twelves.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Stated simply, orchard grass is somewhat delicate with a relatively soft fleshy stem and a whitish, feathery seed head.

The New York Times

The femur in humans is long and relatively slender or delicate; in the great apes it is shorter, more curved, and more robust.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Offstage, Rylance is a relatively slight man with delicate features.

The Guardian

Whereas the incumbent crystalline silicon solar companies essentially fabricate semiconductors that, like their cousins inside of computers, are rigid, delicate, and relatively expensive, thin-film companies deposit tiny layers of photovoltaic material onto substrates like glass.

Forbes

It's relatively easy after victories, more delicate after defeats.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively delicate", ensure the comparison is clear. What is it delicate compared to? Providing context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively delicate" when describing something extremely fragile. The "relatively" suggests a moderate level, so a stronger term might be more appropriate for extreme cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively delicate" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. According to Ludwig, it describes something that possesses a degree of fragility or sensitivity in comparison to others. The word "relatively" serves to moderate the adjective "delicate".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively delicate" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something possessing a moderate level of fragility or sensitivity when compared to other things. As Ludwig confirms, it's useful across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic writing, which suggest a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Keep in mind that "relatively delicate" isn't suitable for describing something extremely fragile, as the "relatively" implies moderation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat fragile

Replaces "relatively" with "somewhat", indicating a slight degree of fragility.

fairly fragile

Uses "fairly" instead of "relatively", suggesting a moderate level of fragility.

moderately fragile

Employs "moderately" to specify the extent of fragility.

comparatively sensitive

Substitutes "delicate" with "sensitive" while retaining the comparison.

rather delicate

Uses "rather" to indicate a noticeable degree of delicacy.

slightly vulnerable

Replaces both words, emphasizing vulnerability in a minor way.

somewhat susceptible

Highlights susceptibility as a form of delicacy.

easily damaged

Focuses on the potential for damage due to delicacy.

not very robust

Expresses the lack of robustness, implying delicacy.

more fragile than average

Explicitly compares the fragility to an average level.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively delicate" to describe something that is somewhat fragile or sensitive compared to something else. For example: "The antique vase has a "relatively delicate" structure and needs to be handled with care."

What are some alternatives to "relatively delicate"?

Alternatives include "somewhat fragile", "fairly fragile", or "moderately fragile" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "relatively delicate" or "very delicate"?

The choice depends on the degree of fragility. "Very delicate" implies a high degree of fragility, while "relatively delicate" suggests it's more fragile compared to something else but not necessarily extremely fragile.

What does "relatively delicate" mean?

It means something is fragile or sensitive when compared to other things. The word "relatively" indicates that the delicacy is not absolute but depends on a comparison.