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

• classy
• courtly
• fine
• graceful
• handsome
• majestic
• refined
• stately
• tasteful

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

This elegant gold lamp is dimmable for all of your mood lighting needs, and the subtle arch is great for reading and working. Scoop up a few of these style-agnostic lamps to throw in the guest bedroom or your office. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2024

The timeless and elegant aesthetic will complement a variety of outfits. —Bestreviews, Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2024

All the while, these aesthetics of degradation are beautiful, elegant and entirely casual all at once. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 16 July 2024

While distribution now includes temporary pop-ups and other department stores like Coin Excelsior in Verona, the brand recently unveiled its first flagship in Milan, nestled in the Via Mameli elegant residential area. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 16 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈel-i-gənt 

1

: having or showing elegance

2

: of excellent quality : splendid

elegantly adverb