ticklish

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   very sensitive to being tickled

   She is especially ticklish on the soles of her feet.

2. 2
   adj

   difficult or delicate to handle without causing trouble

   It was a ticklish decision because either choice could damage his friend's reputation.

3. 3
   adj

   easily upset, offended, or made uneasy

   Money remained a ticklish subject in the household.

From tickle + -ish. The literal sense means susceptible to tickling; the figurative senses extend that physical sensitivity to matters requiring delicate handling or likely to provoke discomfort.

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