elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈe-li-gənt 

1

: marked by elegance

elegant clothes

an elegant solution

2

: of a high grade or quality : splendid

elegant gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars

elegantly adverb

Synonyms

• graceful
• handsome
• fine

Choose the Right Synonym for elegant

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of elegant in a Sentence

an elegant solution to the problem

the most elegant First Lady in the nation's history

Recent Examples on the Web

When the candle burns out, upcycle the elegant blue jar into a seashell or trinket holder to keep the beachy vibes going. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

Featuring simple but elegant exteriors by Forest Studio and EBTA Architects, the vineyard homes range from 2,300 to 5,600 square feet and offer between three and six bedrooms. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025

Labyrinthine spreadsheets became elegant graphs and maps that clearly communicated COVID trends and geospatial spread. —Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025

Where to Stay The Majestic Housed in an elegant 1880s Victorian home, The Majestic is cozy, intimate, and full of character. —Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin elegant-, elegans; akin to Latin eligere to select — more at elect

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for elegant

• inelegant

Kids Definition

elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈel-i-gənt 

1

: having or showing elegance

2

: of excellent quality : splendid

elegantly adverb