inelegant

adjective

in·​el·​e·​gant (ˌ)i-ˈne-li-gənt 

: lacking in refinement, grace, or good taste

using inelegant language

inelegantly adverb

Synonyms of inelegant

• uncomfortable
• clumsy
• awkward
• uneasy
• ungraceful

Examples of inelegant in a Sentence

inelegant teens still learning how to act at formal events

inelegant furniture that looked like it belonged in a budget motel

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the more revealing patterns to emerge from the category is something known as zebra striping, a perhaps inelegant term, but a quick phrase to show the shift in highly intelligent consumer behaviour. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

But the sheer brutality and creeping terror of the simplistic opening scene makes the rest of the film — with its gratuitous set pieces and CGI gore — seem much more inelegant. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

Such tactics were hardly limited to the routinely inelegant. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

Haines’ dynamic vocals often bail out the more inelegant lyrics. — Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin inelegant-, inelegans, from in- + elegant-, elegans elegant

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inelegant

• elegant

Kids Definition

inelegant

adjective

in·​el·​e·​gant (ˈ)in-ˈel-i-gənt 

: lacking in grace or good taste

inelegantly adverb