Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: tendre, from Latin tener 'soft, young'

tender

1 adjective
     
Related topics: Food
ten‧der1
1

food

DF tender food is easy to cut and eat, especially because it has been well cooked [≠ tough]:
Continue cooking until the meat is tender.
2

part of your body

a part of your body that is tender is painful if someone touches it:
My arm is still tender where I bruised it.
3

gentle

gentle and careful in a way that shows love:
Her voice was tender and soft.
a slow, tender kiss
4

easily damaged

HBP easily damaged - used especially about plants or flowers:
tender plants that were killed by the harsh winter
5

tender loving care

usually spoken sympathetic treatment and a lot of attention [= TLC]
6

tender age

the time when you are young or do not have much experience
at the tender age of something
Nicholas was sent to boarding school at the tender age of seven.
—tenderly adverb
—tenderness noun [uncountable]
WORD FOCUS: soft WORD FOCUS: soft
soft and pleasant to touch: velvety, fluffy, silky
soft and easily crushed: squashy, squishy
soft and wet: mushy, squelchy BrE informal
soft and good to eat: tender

➔ See also soft
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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