Synonyms of dainty

dainty 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in nice

hard to please

you can't afford to be dainty about food when you're starving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nice
• delicate
• careful
• particular
• fastidious
• finicky
• demanding
• fussy
• picky
• exacting
• choosy
• finical
• pernickety
• persnickety
• finicking
• meticulous
• selective
• old-maidish
• fussbudgety
• discerning
• critical
• discriminating
• insightful
• punctilious
• captious
• knowledgeable
• prissy
• scrupulous
• painstaking
• petulant
• hypercritical
• overcritical
• ultrafastidious
• peevish
• squeamish
• hyperfastidious
• prim
• faultfinding
• overdemanding
• touchy
• queasy
• prickly
• caviling
• carping
• niminy-piminy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemanding
• carefree
• breezy
• loose
• affable
• flexible
• relaxed
• lackadaisical
• low-pressure
• lax
• unfussy
• lenient
• unfastidious
• permissive
• laid-back
• uncritical
• happy-go-lucky
• devil-may-care
• undiscriminating
• indiscriminating

2

as in elegant

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste

the dainty hors d'oeuvres were delicious, but not terribly filling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elegant
• exquisite
• fine
• rare
• select
• delicate
• special
• exceptional
• excellent
• exclusive
• choice
• recherché
• wonderful
• outstanding
• fancy
• classic
• premium
• great
• fabulous
• better
• superb
• jewellike
• high-grade
• sterling
• elite
• bijou
• splendid
• marvelous
• terrific
• noble
• sensational
• superior
• first-class
• superlative
• stellar
• prime
• top
• transcendent
• par excellence
• grand
• unsurpassed
• first-rate
• top-notch
• tip-top
• supernal
• ultrarare

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coarse
• gross
• vulgar
• kitschy
• rough
• tasteless
• raffish
• unrefined
• unpolished
• commercial
• uncultured
• uncultivated
• popular
• ordinary
• common
• rough-hewn
• lowbrow
• kitsch
• average
• lesser
• mediocre
• second-class
• mass-produced
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• second-rate
• deficient
• unacceptable
• wanting
• substandard
• low-grade
• run-of-the-mill
• run-of-the-mine

3

as in exquisite

satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness

a set of dainty teacups that would be perfect for an elderly lady

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exquisite
• subtle
• delicate
• elegant
• refined
• rare
• airy
• extraordinary
• supreme
• fine
• nuanced
• superior
• prime
• incomparable
• transcendent
• select
• choice
• fragile
• superlative
• peerless
• selected
• frail
• unsurpassed
• preeminent
• picked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• sturdy
• robust
• coarse
• crude
• common
• ordinary
• rough
• average
• fair
• indifferent
• medium
• mediocre
• middling
• run-of-the-mill
• second-rate

4

as in delicious

very pleasing to the sense of taste

the sort of dainty finger foods that might be served at afternoon tea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delicious
• tasteful
• edible
• flavorful
• succulent
• delectable
• tasty
• scrumptious
• yummy
• appetizing
• lush
• luscious
• savory
• toothy
• delightful
• heavenly
• ambrosial
• palatable
• toothsome
• flavorsome
• delish
• mouthwatering
• pleasant
• pleasing
• delicate
• eatable
• exquisite
• satisfying
• digestible
• rare
• agreeable
• gratifying
• choice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flat
• insipid
• tasteless
• distasteful
• stale
• boring
• tedious
• unsavory
• unpalatable
• banal
• commonplace
• smelly
• unappetizing
• noxious
• flavorless
• yucky
• unwholesome
• wretched
• miserable
• disagreeable
• unpleasant
• stinky
• repulsive
• awful
• noisome
• disgusting
• offensive
• repugnant
• horrid
• detestable
• abominable
• sickening
• abhorrent
• foul
• repellent
• nauseating

dainty

2 of 2

noun

ˈdān-tē 

as in treat

something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• sweet
• candy
• delectable
• cate
• tidbit
• bit
• delicacy
• goody
• dessert
• kickshaw
• viand
• morsel
• sweetmeat
• junket

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dainty different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dainty are choice, delicate, elegant, exquisite, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When is it sensible to use choice instead of dainty?

The synonyms choice and dainty are sometimes interchangeable, but choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When might delicate be a better fit than dainty?

While the synonyms delicate and dainty are close in meaning, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When would elegant be a good substitute for dainty?

The meanings of elegant and dainty largely overlap; however, elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When could exquisite be used to replace dainty?

The words exquisite and dainty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

In what contexts can rare take the place of dainty?

While in some cases nearly identical to dainty, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dainty

Adjective

Brownell, who took the reins of the Netflix series for Season 3, wore two dainty white pocket squares embroidered with the initials E and F along with her elegant brown and maroon suit and gloves at the Season 4 red carpet premiere, which was held in Paris, France at the Palais Brongniart. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026

The album opens with a pair of love songs that practically shimmer with jazzy keyboard glissandos and dainty folk-pop fingerpicking. —Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026

Beyond the smooth texture, the skirt features dainty lace trim accents across the middle and around the hem, a vintage floral pattern, and a delicate drawstring at the waist to adjust the fit to your liking. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Despite its larger size, the swan is definitely dainty, with a balletic beauty fit for a swan—or a Midwest—princess. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Nov. 2025