dainty

noun

dain·ty | \ˈdān-tē

\

plural dainties

Definition of dainty

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : something delicious to the taste a London dainty—a pyramid of jelly— Virginia Woolf

b : something choice or pleasing

2 obsolete : fastidiousness

dainty

adjective

daintier; daintiest

Definition of dainty (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : tasting good : tasty dainty morsels

b : attractively prepared and served dainty sandwiches on silver trays

2 : marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace dainty teacups took a dainty sip

3 obsolete : chary, reluctant … let us not be dainty of leave-taking …— Shakespeare

4a : marked by fastidious discrimination or finicky taste

b : showing avoidance of anything rough gentry too dainty to risk blisters on their hands— G. W. Johnson

Other Words from dainty Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about dainty

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Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

Adjective

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 dainty in a Sentence

Noun

the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry

Adjective

Her hair was decorated with dainty pink flowers. the girl's dainty little hands The dancers' dainty steps were followed by a series of leaps. She took a dainty sip of tea from her teacup. They served dainty sandwiches on silver trays. The food was served in dainty portions.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This was a dainty, pinkish-brown bean of uncommon taste and velvety texture, grown in Hidalgo. — Junot Díaz, The New Yorker, "The Hunt for Mexico’s Heirloom Beans," 17 Apr. 2018 Though both have great taste in accessories, Markle often chooses dainty, gold pieces while Middleton picks timeless statements like a silver watch. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Here's the Major Difference Between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's Style," 28 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Meghan also chose to wear her hair in a low bun, and opted for dainty diamond earrings from Plaisirs de Birks. — Michelle Manetti, Good Housekeeping, "Meghan Markle Just Stepped Out in the Most Stunning Black Dress," 19 Apr. 2018 The leaves are dark and glossy, and their flowers are dainty, pale pink and white. — Rachel Swalin, ELLE Decor, "How To Arrange Flowers For The Most Stunning Homemade Bouquets," 21 June 2017 Music director Candida Caldicot does a terrific job accompanying the action — at turns mournful, dainty or racy — on a piano to the side of the stage. — Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lehman Trilogy': Theater Review," 13 July 2018 Marais makes an amazing sandal sturdy in form yet dainty in appearance. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Vogue Staffers Pick the Most Chic and Comfortable Shoes to Wear to Work This Summer," 28 June 2018 After locking lips with their sleeping victims, these inch-long insects take a dainty dump at the scene of the crime. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "How Tiny Trackers Could Help Humans Avoid Kissing Bugs’ Deadly Smooch," 9 July 2018 To complete her all-white ensemble, Middleton paired the elegant dress with a dainty white hair topper by Jane Taylor that was embellished with white flowers. — Cady Lang, Time, "Kate Middleton Wore an Elegant All-White Ensemble to Prince Louis' Royal Christening," 9 July 2018 From Meghan Markle's dainty bracelets to Kate Middleton's trusty pair of boots, there's always a lot of chatter surrounding the royal family's fashion choices. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Why Prince Charles Always Wears a Ring on His Pinky," 5 July 2018 She's been rocking the dainty chain non-stop lately, even making it the centerpiece of her look for this year's Met Gala. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Selena Gomez Wore $21.5k Worth of Diamonds to Her First Movie Premiere in Two Years," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dainty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Time Traveler for dainty

The first known use of dainty was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for dainty

dainty

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dainty

: small and pretty

: done with small and careful movements

of food : attractive and served in small amounts

See the full definition for dainty in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dainty

noun

dain·ty | \ˈdān-tē

\

plural dainties

Kids Definition of dainty

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a delicious food : delicacy

dainty

adjective

daintier; daintiest

Kids Definition of dainty (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : tasting good

2 : pretty in a delicate way dainty flowers

3 : having or showing delicate or finicky taste He is a dainty eater.

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