Virginia WoolfG. W. Johnson
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
Examples of dainty in a Sentence
Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
Bieber’s dainty ankle jewelry can be spotted in many of her recent photos.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2023
Gerber paired a simple white tank top with loose navy pants splattered with white paint, and accessorized the outfit with bright white sneakers, a white cotton tote bag, chunky gold hoops, a dainty necklace, and oversize sunglasses.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2023
The tiny hair accessory only added to this dainty hairstyle.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 28 Aug. 2023
Their dainty bodies aren’t much longer than a typical ruler, from bill to tail, but their wingspans are over double that, and plenty strong to propel them, in spring, from their winter homes in Southeast Asia to Alaska and Siberia.
—WIRED, 26 Aug. 2023
Many are wary of cocktails that come in dainty glasses, are garnished with flowers or fruit, or feature a straw for stripping.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
Despite having a dainty reputation, fine bone china is actually one of the most durable dinnerware materials.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2023
Try Dainty Additions For a charming, inviting atmosphere, consider adding dainty pendant lights above your kitchen sink and counter.
—Sienna Livermore, House Beautiful, 22 Aug. 2023
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
Rentrayage's sale section has several one-of-a-kind home goods right now, including a glass pitcher to match this dainty little set.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Feb. 2023
The tool needed to take a size 16 dry fly out of the dainty mouth of a mountain trout differs from that utilized for billfish, with multiple gradations in between.
—Pete Robbins, Field & Stream, 30 Jan. 2023
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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 22 Sep. 2023.
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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
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