Intricate vs. Delicate — What's the Difference?

Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality

Difficult to understand, analyze, or solve for having many interconnected elements.

Easily broken or damaged; fragile

Having a great deal of fine detail or complexity.

Requiring sensitive or careful handling

(intransitive) To become enmeshed or entangled.

A delicate fabric or garment

(transitive) To enmesh or entangle: to cause to intricate.

Pleasing to the senses, especially in a subtle way

Entangled; involved; perplexed; complicated; difficult to understand, follow, arrange, or adjust; as, intricate machinery, labyrinths, accounts, plots, etc.

Easily broken or damaged

To entangle; to involve; to make perplexing.

Exquisitely fine or dainty

Highly involved or intricate;

Frail in constitution or health.

Marked by sensitivity of discrimination

Very subtle in difference or distinction.

Having or showing great consideration or care

Requiring careful or tactful treatment

Fine or soft in touch or skill

Measuring, indicating, or responding to very small changes; precise

Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.

Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.

Intended for use with fragile items.

Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.

Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.

(informal) Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.

(obsolete) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.

Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.

Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful.

Light, or softly tinted; said of a colour.

Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

Highly discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite.

Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes.

A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.

(obsolete) A choice dainty; a delicacy.

(obsolete) A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.

Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.

Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, "a delicate creature."

Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; - said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton.

Slight or smooth; light and yielding; - said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk.

Soft and fair; - said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.

Light, or softly tinted; - said of a color; as, a delicate blue.

Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; - said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.

Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; - said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health.

Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question.

Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.

Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.

A choice dainty; a delicacy.

A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

Exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury;

Marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique;

Easily broken or damaged or destroyed;

Easily hurt;

Developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety;

Difficult to handle; requiring great tact;

Of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely;