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 Among the garments Curletto remembers are an elegant black dress worn by María Nieves, a sophisticated velvet dress from the 1950s and vintage pieces restored and adapted for individual performers. — Michelle Edgar, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 Jumping behind the steering wheel of one of the boats Nordstrom sails on feels like crawling into the cockpit of a race car rather than the cabin of an elegant yacht. — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 The sleek leather is elegant enough to justify wearing sneakers to the office — all while offering support with a padded inner lining. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026 Her own furnishings and finishes are elegant and, not unlike her paintings, old-world but not old-fashioned. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

Decor, such as in Room 210, is a graceful fusion of white wood rafters, French oak, and stone flooring.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
This beautiful retrospective volume shows a poet developing steadily, from the graceful descriptions and encoded trauma of the poems from the 1990s through the loosening music and political engagement of the books of the last ten years.

— Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

There’s no end of things to do here—an athletic club, frequent cultural events, and an exquisite spa.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Played with exquisite, improbably expressive steeliness by Florence Pugh, Cathy does not awaken from nowhere as a predator.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

And Jeremy is the handsome cipher, the seemingly long-suffering dreamboat of a husband who may or may not be harboring more ominous intentions.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
The perfect cup of coffee with Kevin Costner After reading prior interviews Costner had done with other outlets, one thing felt surprising given the actor's tendency toward the ruggedly handsome, cowboy archetype.

— Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

Children—a rare sight at Trancoso’s small, intimate pousadas but welcome here—are kept busy by a discreet army of private nannies and hotel monitors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Because Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case, an eight-person bench will decide the case for the Supreme Court, leaving open the possibility of a rare 4-4 deadlock.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

Release details have not yet been confirmed, but readers can likely expect a launch through Nike’s Snkrs app and select retailers.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Those willing to deal with volatility can consider select tactical opportunities in medium- to long-duration bonds, said.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of select

Browse Nearby Words

elegancy

elegant

elegantly

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“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

adjective

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