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 The frames on these minimal loungers, a throwback to vintage styles from the '60s, are an elegant addition to any pool deck. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026 Zendaya Zendaya concluded the airy elegant style spree several celebrities embraced on Tuesday night during the Louis Vuitton spring 2027 ready-to-wear collection show. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 Plastic, prefabrication and push-button convenience suggested that mass production could bring elegant, futuristic living — and freedom from drudgery — within reach of the masses. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Appropriately, Sky Port, which opened in 2025, is also aviation-themed, with the interior modeled after an elegant airplane cabin. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 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

Elsewhere, dark-wood bas reliefs and miles of Norwegian green marble (Enigma Verde Lapponia) are the handsome hallmarks of design studio Autoban (famous for London’s Duck & Rice and Baku airport’s extraordinary makeover).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Alessi 5009/15 Bottle Coaster Looking for a handsome housewarming gift?

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 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

Thinner fibers would allow researchers to embed more sensing elements into garments, potentially capturing finer details of body movement.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
The new songs on Live at Carnegie Hall are some of Winter’s very finest.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

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

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elegancy

elegant

elegantly

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“Elegant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegant. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

adjective

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