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indelicate

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅del⋅i⋅cate

  [in-del-i-kit]
Use indelicate in a Sentence
–adjective
1. offensive to a sense of generally accepted propriety, modesty, or decency; improper, unrefined, or coarse: indelicate language.
2. not delicate; lacking delicacy; rough.
Origin:
1735–45; in- 3 + delicate

Related forms:
in⋅del⋅i⋅cate⋅ly, adverb
in⋅del⋅i⋅cate⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. indecorous, untactful, gauche, rude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To indelicate
in·del·i·cate   (ĭn-děl'ĭ-kĭt)   
adj.  

  1. Offensive to established standards of propriety; improper. See Synonyms at improper.

  2. Marked by a lack of good taste; coarse.

  3. Lacking in consideration for the feelings of others; tactless.

in·del'i·cate·ly adv., in·del'i·cate·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

indelicate 
1742, "offensive to propriety," from in- "not" + delicate (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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