elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈe-li-gənt 

1

: marked by elegance

elegant clothes

an elegant solution

2

: of a high grade or quality : splendid

elegant gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars

elegantly adverb

Synonyms of elegant

• graceful
• handsome
• fine

Choose the Right Synonym for elegant

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of elegant in a Sentence

an elegant solution to the problem

the most elegant First Lady in the nation's history

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests were served canapes including a surprisingly brilliant mango and mung bean tartare plus chicken teriyaki kebabs, all washed down with elegant Hugo Spritz and espresso martinis. —Partner Content, Variety, 9 May 2026

In the 2010s, Streisand’s style often went the more subdued route, but stayed elegant as ever. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 May 2026

Maluma flexed a gorgeous vintage Patek on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Pedro Pascal showed off an elegant Chanel Boy-Friend at The Mandalorian and Grogu premiere in France, Timothée Chalamet donned yet another double-sided Franck Muller, and Kevin Hart rocked a Patek at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 May 2026

New grads can display their achievement with this elegant diploma frame, which even has a shadowbox window for their tassel. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin elegant-, elegans; akin to Latin eligere to select — more at elect

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for elegant

• inelegant

Kids Definition

elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈel-i-gənt 

1

: having or showing elegance

2

: of excellent quality : splendid

elegantly adverb