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

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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 Elsewhere, collections at Khaite, Dries Van Noten, and Loro Piana nodded to the golden age of the 1920s, incorporating elegant Art Deco touches throughout. — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 13 July 2026 The spacious style features a sophisticated, expensive-looking diamond-stitch pattern and an elegant gold hardware zip-top closure. — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 Strathberry Multrees Chain Wallet While big bags have been trending, this practical-yet-elegant style shouldn’t be overlooked. — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 12 July 2026 These top-handle bags introduce a new interpretation of modern dressing, one that’s more understated and elegant. — Emma Bocchi, Glamour, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

Their style repertoire is equally wide-ranging, spanning everything from backless rattan designs to teak silhouettes with swooping arms, plush cushions, and graceful arches.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026
The delicate silk scarf tied to the handle adds a graceful, chic touch.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

France came into the game having scored fourteen goals across the tournament, several of them exquisite demonstrations of the team’s style and vitality.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
From the central open-air firepit of the Great Porch, to the playful tile spewed throughout various common spaces and the 65 cabins and cottages, the design of Wildflower is exquisite.

— Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

Neill is at his most handsome, charming heartthrob best here, and the film received an Oscar nod for its period costume design.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
His features are handsome and well balanced but not unusually high scoring by looksmaxxing standards.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

Spain was so determined to limit Mbappe’s clean looks in the final third that Simon would often leave the net to meet Mbappe in the open field whenever a rare through ball was able to slip past Spain’s elite midfield.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Total solar eclipses offer rare and brief opportunities to learn new information about everything from the physics of the sun to the behavior of animals and the dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who only turned professional aged 25, helped Cape Verde hold the European champions to a goalless draw with a string of fine saves.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
This is common when the sensor gets a coating of fine dust on it.

— Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

California has not executed a prisoner since 2006, but the death penalty remained legal and prosecutors continued to pursue it in select cases.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
The yacht will be used privately, for select charters, and to facilitate further scientific research at sea.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

Definition of select

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elegancy

elegant

elegantly

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“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

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