French word

indélicat

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃delika/

Meaning

  • adjectiverude

Example

C'était indélicat de couper la parole pendant la réunion.

It was rude to interrupt during the meeting.

Illustration for indélicat (rude)

More examples

Elle a fait un commentaire indélicat qui a blessé son amie.

She made a tactless comment that hurt her friend.

Core concept

An interaction where absent tact turns ordinary words or actions into an offense.

Common phrases

  • être indélicat

    be tactless

  • un geste indélicat

    a tactless gesture

  • un commentaire indélicat

    a tactless comment

Similar words

impoli: Failing to observe good manners and behaving rudely toward others.
indiscret: Carelessly revealing secrets or saying things inappropriate to the situation.
insensible: Unaware of others' feelings or circumstances and lacking consideration.
blessant: Causing emotional pain or offense through words or behavior.

Definition in French

Décrit un comportement ou une parole qui manque de tact et qui peut offenser autrui.

Word origin

French built indélicat by placing the negative prefix in- before délicat, a word inherited from Latin delicatus.

Usage tips

  • Indélicat does not mean English delicate; it describes a lack of tact, while délicat can mean delicate, difficult, or tactful.

Other meanings

  • tactlessadjective
  • inconsiderateadjective

Opposites

  • prévenantconsiderateadjective
  • polipoliteadjective

Related words

  • indélicatessetactlessnessnoun
  • indélicatementtactlesslyadverb

Word lists with this word