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 With their dusty color palettes and retro shapes, these floral print shirts look most elegant when paired with straight-leg jeans or trousers. — Melisa Vargas, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2026 It’s also adorned with vibrant wallpaper, colorful tiles and an elegant grand staircase. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 This sleek, elegant style highlights a deep, rich brown that adds vibrance and dimension to her overall look. — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026 The math is elegant, the geophysics is intuitive, and still my sense of wonder is undiminished. — Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

Yet 20 minutes later, it was long forgotten during a graceful balance beam routine that brought her to within striking distance of the lead.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
In the morning, travelers will awake among the graceful canals and bridges of Venice, with a private water taxi to ferry them into the heart of the Venetian lagoon to explore the city’s many islands.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

The exquisite scenery is also one of the show’s biggest pulls.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
At the San Sebastian property, the excellent restaurants, exquisite interior design, and passion for detail—all hallmarks of the brand—blend in like never before with a maritime landscape that hypnotizes its guests at any time of day.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

Later on, Bret wanders away from his friends and runs into Debbie’s father, Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), entertaining handsome young men in the hot tub.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
The younger Gere plays Robert Mallory, the handsome new student who transfers to Buckley prep at the same time that The Trawler begins killing local teens.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

These falcons and other birds of prey were once rare in the region, with their population even reaching zero at one point.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Although postpartum psychosis is rare, Leistikow said, families can take steps to prepare, particularly if the mother has a history of mental illness.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

The five-time Pro Bowler had one of his finest statistical seasons last year, allowing only 15 pressures on 491 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
It’s made of premium—think fine-gauge fibers that don’t itch—merino wool, a naturally thermoregulating material.

— Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

Zuckerberg warned of risks if control of advanced AI is concentrated with a select few companies, institutions or governments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Pay attention, then, to the rate climate not only on the months in which the Fed holds its meeting but each day as multiple factors here can impact the merits of select interest-earning vehicles.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

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