INDELICATE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does indelicate mean? 

• INDELICATE (adjective)
  The adjective INDELICATE has 3 senses:

1. in violation of good taste even verging on the indecent

2. lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct

3. verging on the indecent

  Familiarity information: INDELICATE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDELICATE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In violation of good taste even verging on the indecent

Synonyms:

indelicate; off-color; off-colour

Context example:

an off-color joke

Similar:

tasteless (lacking aesthetic or social taste)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct

Synonyms:

indecorous; indelicate

Context example:

indecorous behavior

Also:

indecent (offensive to good taste especially in sexual matters)

improper (not suitable or right or appropriate)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Verging on the indecent

Context example:

an indelicate proposition

Similar:

indecent (offensive to good taste especially in sexual matters)

 Context examples 

Swinburne fails, when all is said, because he is, well, indelicate.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

How inconsiderate, how indelicate, how irrational, how unfeeling had been her conduct!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)