Word
dainty
Phoneticsdain·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdeɪnti/
UK/dˈeɪnti/
Definition
adj. small, delicate, and pretty. You use this to describe things that are made with great care or people who move in a light, graceful way.
adj. delicately small and pretty in appearance or movement. Often implies a sense of refinement or fragility; can be used to describe physical objects, movements, or a person's appetite.
Examples
“She wore a dainty gold necklace with a tiny diamond.”
“The tea was served in dainty porcelain cups that looked like they might break if handled too roughly.”
“The ballerina's dainty footwork masked the incredible physical strength required to maintain such a graceful and seemingly effortless performance on stage.”
Examples
simple
“She wore a dainty gold necklace with a tiny diamond.”
contextual
“The tea was served in dainty porcelain cups that looked like they might break if handled too roughly.”
complex
“The ballerina's dainty footwork masked the incredible physical strength required to maintain such a graceful and seemingly effortless performance on stage.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“The result is a tulip design, finished with two dainty hearts.” “The fox was small with dainty features, a vixen.” Etymology
From Middle English deynte (as noun), from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem. Doublet of dignity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dainty