elegant means characterised by or exhibiting elegance; having grace, refinement, or tasteful simplicity.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, elegant ranks #2,351 of 14,308 for Most Malleable Words, #2,382 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #2,737 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words, #2,975 of 14,297 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words.
elegant is pronounced /ˈɛləɡənt/.
Why “elegant” is a great word
Characterized by grace, refinement, and tasteful simplicity in appearance, design, or manner. From Late Middle English *elegaunt*, from Middle French *elegant*, ultimately from Latin *ēlegāns* ("tasteful, choice"), from *ēligere* ("to choose out, select"), from *ex-* ("out") + *legō* ("to choose, select"). Unlike "ornate" (which suggests elaborate and often excessive decoration) or "gaudy" (which implies showiness in a tasteless way), "elegant" describes beauty achieved through calculated omission. It is the single black line of a calligraphic brushstroke, the unadorned arch of a stone bridge, or the quiet confidence of a solution that solves a complex problem with one clear, simple motion—beauty not declared, but discreetly known.
Etymology
From Late Middle English elegaunt, from Middle French elegant, ultimately from Latin ēlegāns, collateral form of present participle of ēligere, from ex- (“out of, from”) + legō (“choose, select, appoint”).
adj
- Characterised by or exhibiting elegance; having grace, refinement, or tasteful simplicity.“You could just use ordinary shop-bought kecap manis to marinade the meat, but making your own is easy, has a far more elegant fragrance and is, above all, such a great brag! Flavouring kecap manis is an intensely personal thing, so try this version now and next time cook the sauce down with crushed, split lemongrass and a shredded lime leaf.”
- Characterised by minimalism and intuitiveness while preserving exactness and precision.“an elegant solution”
- Fine; doing well.“'An' how are ye, Jemmie—how's every inch iv you?' enquired Moggy of the boy, when his agitation was a little blown over.
'I'm elegant, thank ye,' he answered; 'an' what's the matther wid ye all? I cum through the kitchen, and seen no one.'”
noun
- An elegant parrot.“But if the Aviarist be ambitious to keep the lovely, but destructive, members of the Parrot family, he must be content with grass alone, because Parrakeets (except the weak-billed Turquoisines and Elegants) would destroy the shrubs and trees in a day.”
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- elegance 93% match — Grace, refinement, and beauty in movement, appearance, or manners. vs elegant →
- dainty 87% match — Elegant; delicately small and pretty. vs elegant →
- exquisite 86% match — Especially or extraordinarily fine or pleasing; exceptional. vs elegant →
- gaudy 86% match — Very showy or ornamented, now especially when excessive, or in a tasteless or vulgar manner. vs elegant →
- handsome 85% match — Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly vs elegant →
- grandeur 85% match — The state of being grand or splendid; magnificence. vs elegant →
- gentility 85% match — The state of being elegant, genteel, having good breeding, or being socially superior. vs elegant →
- magnificence 85% match — grandeur, brilliance, lavishness or splendor vs elegant →