Virginia WoolfG. W. Johnson
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
Examples of dainty in a Sentence
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
This type of thyme is usually grown for its dainty pink, purple, or magenta flowers rather than for culinary purposes.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
After all, the sky-high loafers turn sweet, dainty minidresses, micro skirts, and short shorts into fashion-forward looks with an unexpected cool edge.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024
The large cut filled the plate like a tomahawk steak’s dainty cousin.
—Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Adding layers of jewelry from stacks of dainty to chunky necklaces is the way to go when styling a plain or even printed tube top.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
Floral flavors may call to mind molecular gastronomy and dainty delicacies, but flowers have for centuries been part of cuisines around the world.
—Alice Cavanagh, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Despite measuring a dainty 137 yards from tee to cup, the par-three 17th hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is as feared as it is revered.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
The style is having a moment in fashion, with the popularity of the dainty coquette and balletcore aesthetics on TikTok, but Hargitay revealed that she was actually inspired by her mom, the late actress Jayne Mansfield, who wore bows in her hair back in the day.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
Seyward Darby, Longreads, 24 Jan. 2024
From smaller, daintier hair ties suited for collarbone-length hair to big hair bows that still manage to be lightweight, these scrunchies are easy to put on and even easier to style.
—Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 1 Feb. 2024
Prada’s lace version is delightfully dainty, especially when styled alongside metallic evening sandals from Zara and Loewe’s sequined tote.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 June 2023
The late America Eats Tavern is recalled with dishes including the country’s daintiest chicken wings.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 May 2023
But for me, it’s been very classy, very dainty, and polite.
—Breanna Bell, Variety, 10 Apr. 2023
These shoes are often dainty, delicate and decidedly inappropriate for a rugged day in the urban wilderness.
—Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023
The Bazaar also serves the country’s daintiest chicken wings, which are confited, deboned, pressed, fried and treated to a doll-size cube of blue cheese and a housemade hot sauce enriched with chicken jus.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023
But weighing in at just over 25 pounds, it’s not particularly dainty.
—Micki Wagner, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dainty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun
Middle English deinte, dainte "state of honor, high esteem, delight, luxury, marvel, delicacy, choice morsel," borrowed from Anglo-French deinté, dainté "esteem, fine object or deed, choice morsel" (continental Old French deintié), going back to Latin dignitāt-, dignitās "suitability, excellence, standing, esteem" — more at dignity
Adjective
Middle English deinte "excellent, delightful, (of food or drink) fine, delicious," adjective derivative of deinte, dainte "high esteem, delight, luxury, delicacy, choice morsel" — more at dainty entry 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near dainty
Cite this Entry
“Dainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dainty. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
dainty
2 of 2 adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on dainty
Nglish: Translation of dainty for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dainty for Arabic Speakers
Share