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 Espresso brown is a deeper, sexier take on nudes for winter, while plum makes for an elegant pedicure that feels unexpected. — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026 Greens, for example, look elegant with shades of red, including pink, burgundy, and orange. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026 Some of the new watchfaces are elegant, though others highlight the Edge’s big black bezels. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026 The two venues feel elegant and brightly lit, including a 17th-century hôtel particulier, or mansion, with vaulted stone ceilings on the bottom floor, and an Art Deco building across the Rue du Temple. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegant

Adjective

His strawberry-blond American mother had given him her graceful neck and tall, sleek but broad-shouldered build.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
The slender metal frame swoops into a graceful curve, with a petite tray branching off to one side—a perfect perch for your favorite candle or a warm drink.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

Maybe no scene better embodies Lee’s exquisite communion with his characters than his last one, which supplies them with a hint of grace.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
From the lobby to the guest rooms, there’s an exquisite attention to detail with fine finishes, appealing textures, and a color palette carefully chosen to evoke the refined spirit of Milan.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of exquisite

Adjective

This handsome volume runs through 90 European venues, breaking down their unique features, acoustic qualities and performance histories (recent and not so).

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Skarsgård’s wicker man is tall, blonde and handsome on the outside, but hollow by design.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

Voting by noncitizens and fraud involving mail ballots are both rare.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

Miami did a relatively fine job in Weeks 2 and 3 against some of the most talented backs in Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Kenneth Walker of the Chiefs but slipped up the two games prior to the bye against the Vikings and Bengals.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Mario Prada sourced fine leathers, silver, silk and crystal from Europe and beyond and these are on public display in Milan for the first time.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

Doesn't expire Up to 50% off The TJ Maxx clearance section is one of the best ways to snag a deal at the retailer, with up to 50% off select styles.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026
Available now at Asos and select Adidas retailers, the latest collaboration revisits one of the German sportswear company’s most recognizable silhouettes, this time through a distinctly autumnal lens.

— Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegant

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