ELEGANT Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

elegant

adjective

ˈe-li-gənt

Definition of elegant

as in graceful

having or showing elegance the most elegant First Lady in the nation's history the bride's elegant gown received nothing but praise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exquisite

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste prepared an elegant dinner for the honored guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Flint and Fennel, the all-day dining restaurant, serves a lavish breakfast buffet and elegant afternoon tea, while Solandra dishes up Mediterranean fare poolside. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026 The HomeView’s control scheme looks simpler and more elegant, with different pages neatly arranged for various feature sets. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Crown molding, used throughout much of the home, adds an additional elegant touch. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Attending the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 17, Kardashian was a vision in a 75-year-old gown, an elegant retro updo, and a dazzling set of diamonds. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

The brusque treatment of an executive of Bajaria’s stature is a sign that no one is safe from scrutiny, and no one should ever count on making a graceful exit.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Minervini calmed down from there, delivering a more graceful goodbye.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

The Row’s antique lace cardigan over a relaxed camisole and drawstring pinstripe pants is a good example (look 24) — a simple base paired with an exquisite lace piece.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the diamond was quite an exquisite addition, considering that such gemstones over 10 carats are incredibly rare.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

This handsome volume runs through 90 European venues, breaking down their unique features, acoustic qualities and performance histories (recent and not so).

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Skarsgård’s wicker man is tall, blonde and handsome on the outside, but hollow by design.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

In a recent rare interview with chum Matthew McConaughey, Bryan suggested that his songwriting-and-touring tear since leaving the Navy may be coming to a close soon.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
But these mergers are far too rare to explain the abundance of heavier elements in the universe.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

Miami did a relatively fine job in Weeks 2 and 3 against some of the most talented backs in Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Kenneth Walker of the Chiefs but slipped up the two games prior to the bye against the Vikings and Bengals.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Mario Prada sourced fine leathers, silver, silk and crystal from Europe and beyond and these are on public display in Milan for the first time.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

John Fogerty, rising singer-songwriter Emma Ogier, and others are slated to open on select dates.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
In practice, that means defaults can differ meaningfully between full-service and select-service properties within the same loyalty portfolio.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of select

Browse Nearby Words

elegancy

elegant

elegantly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of elegant

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

asunder

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes