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

• classy
• courtly
• fine
• graceful
• handsome
• majestic
• refined
• stately
• tasteful

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

The bowls are universal and have nice high sides that feel elegant and shapely in the hand. —Laura Denby, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

The interiors are sophisticated and elegant without an ounce of tacky, in-your-face tropical aesthetic of pastels and seashells. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Dec. 2024

Seat adjustment hardware is new and elegant, offering smooth, curved representation of the fixtures that have been a staple in Mercedes vehicles for a decade. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

With their soft bioluminescent blue glow and sleek, modern design, the glasses stood out as both functional and elegant. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 13 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

elegant

adjective

el·​e·​gant ˈel-i-gənt 

1

: having or showing elegance

2

: of excellent quality : splendid

elegantly adverb