French word

délicatement

Pronunciation

IPA/delikatəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbgently

Example

Elle a posé délicatement la tasse sur la table.

She gently placed the cup on the table.

Illustration for délicatement (gently)

More examples

Il a touché délicatement la joue du bébé.

He touched the baby's cheek gently.

Core concept

A soft, controlled movement or tactful wording that leaves no bruise, literal or social.

Common phrases

  • poser délicatement

    place gently

  • toucher délicatement

    touch gently

  • parler délicatement

    speak gently

Similar words

poliment: In a courteous and respectful way.
gentiment: With kindness and gentleness.
prudemment: Carefully, to avoid danger or trouble.

Definition in French

Marque une manière d'agir ou de parler empreinte de tact et de délicatesse, sans gestes brusques ni paroles susceptibles de blesser.

Word origin

French délicatement combines délicat with -ement, the regular suffix that forms adverbs from adjectives; délicat descends from Latin delicatus.

Usage tips

  • Délicatement can modify parler or répondre, but it does not by itself make a statement polite when the words or tone are harsh.

Other meanings

  • carefullyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word