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an elegant hotel
a luxurious hotel
a stylish hotel
an exquisite hotel
an exclusive hotel
elegant clothes
fancy clothes
glamorous clothes
classy clothes
graceful clothes
exquisite clothes
elegant prose
eloquent prose
beautiful prose
lovely prose

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of elegant are choice, dainty, delicate, exquisite, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is it sensible to use choice instead of elegant?

In some situations, the words choice and elegant are roughly equivalent. However, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

Where would dainty be a reasonable alternative to elegant?

Although the words dainty and elegant have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When is delicate a more appropriate choice than elegant?

The meanings of delicate and elegant largely overlap; however, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

When would exquisite be a good substitute for elegant?

While in some cases nearly identical to elegant, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When might rare be a better fit than elegant?

While the synonyms rare and elegant are close in meaning, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elegant Original price: $88 These Amelia E. Nettle frames are elegant yet simple, ideal for everyday wear. Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025 With a runtime of 137 minutes, this Japanese production stands as a rare artistic commitment to the slow, profound rhythms of life and grief, animated in elegant 2D and scored by the renowned Akira Senju. Jamie Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2025 Patsy Cline helped usher in elegant cocktail dresses, many made by her mother. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025 Palvin, 31, opted for an elegant strapless gown with an asymmetrical ruffled skirt. Michelle Lee, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elegant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant
Adjective
  • France is a culture of manners, of eloquence, of graceful behavior, as if life itself, from the grandly public to the intimately domestic, were essentially performative, requiring constant self-control.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Originally built in 1895, the residence sits on more than three acres and includes a formal garden, a tranquil reflecting pond, and a graceful limestone-domed gazebo.
    Zlata Kozul Naumovski, Architectural Digest, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This small deciduous tree's exquisite blossoms show up before the leaves each year.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Bryson DeChambeau DeChambeau does little wrong, and he’s been exquisite in every facet this week.
    Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nest Learning Thermostat is a handsome, effective device, one that arguably kickstarted the smart home revolution with its simple usability and gorgeous design.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The story finds the singer playing two characters, a devoted young Catholic woman pining for a handsome street musician and a sultry flamenco dancer.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava has severe cognitive impairment and a rare form of epilepsy.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Celebrating the 260th anniversary of Baccarat, the drink was served in two rare 1937 Baccarat crystal glasses created for the 1937 International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life in Paris.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
    David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • If sports betting is not his jam, that’s just fine, too.
    David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to the teams that advanced to the finals, select competitors from other schools will compete in the individual finals despite their teams not advancing.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elegant

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