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an elegant hotel
a luxurious hotel
a stylish hotel
an exquisite hotel
an exclusive hotel
elegant clothes
fancy clothes
glamorous clothes
classy clothes
graceful clothes
exquisite clothes
elegant prose
eloquent prose
beautiful prose
lovely prose

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 Everyday Elegance, Achieved The foundation of any chic spring capsule wardrobe begins with an elegant white dress. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025 An elegant watch can elevate an outfit on special occasions. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025 The daughter of a Colombian mother and a Cuban father, Castillo, 26, is on a mission to amplify the Latin American diaspora in the U.K., primarily through her music: an elegant mélange of balmy electronic textures and Latin American heritage sounds like salsa, bachata and reggaeton. Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025 The overall effect reminds us of a shibori dye—understated and elegant enough to make the whole room feel slightly more special. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elegant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant
Adjective
  • For six seasons, viewers knew Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson, Randall’s (Sterling K. Brown) intelligent, unflappable and graceful wife.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The result is a flattened film that, in the process of trying to capture the suppression and restraint of something graceful and unspoken, flattens it in the process too.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • All exquisite in their different ways, nuanced and unerringly observed.
    Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2025
  • As guests dine in the iconic setting of Mille Fleurs, they will be treated to an exclusive fashion show by Isola Boutique, featuring the latest in spring fashion, alongside exquisite jewelry designs by John Matty Co.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the stepmother is defeated, and Snow White falls in love with a handsome prince.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Schwartz was a tall, handsome kid from New York, the son of a doctor.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • About 25% of its brands are either not available or rare in the U.S., such as the Joseph Duclos brand, a French luxury name that made a handbag sported by Taylor Swift, Printemps CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche said.
    Melissa Repko, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Keep reading for 11 rare On deals from Zappos, REI, and more — up to 40 percent off.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Located on the second floor of the four-story Rong Zhai, the Prada eatery will offer an all-day café service alongside a fine dining experience.
    Denni Hu, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025
  • And Racing Bull's Yuki Tsunoda demonstrated that he probably should have been promoted to the Red Bull team with a fine 5th place in qualifying that sadly did not translate to points in the race.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This is valid select dates between June 29 and Dec. 22.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elegant

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