elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈe-li-gənt How to pronounce elegant (audio)
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
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 Fat City was the Old Sacramento sister concept to elegant downtown Chinese American restaurant Frank Fat’s, and leaned more into the American side, with tri-colored nachos, turkey avocado BLTs and bacon cheeseburgers on its final menu. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Austin Butler wore a Gucci tank underneath an elegant black coat. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Other highlights are the soaring high ceilings, couture furnishings, and elegant crown molding. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 The images of elegant flappers also tally with the theme to give off an alluring site layout. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Just don't miss the elegant fireside dinners in the rustic-chic Main House dining room. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 Next, Zendaya arrived in a distinctive and elegant Jean Paul Gaultier look. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Mar. 2024 The massive space has an elegant indoor dining room (with a and a lounge-like outdoor terrace, which gives the restaurant two distinct personalities. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 From the garden to the lounge, library, two restaurants, and garden bar, the hotel is comprised of elegant and restful spaces. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elegant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of elegant was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near elegant

Cite this Entry

“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elegant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elegant

adjective
el·​e·​gant ˈel-i-gənt How to pronounce elegant (audio)
1
: having or showing elegance
2
: of excellent quality : splendid
elegantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on elegant

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