ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dainty

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdeɪnti// UK //dˈeɪnti// dain·ty Archaic

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English deynte (as noun), from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem. Doublet of dignity.

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

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