dainty
9 synonyms and 5 antonyms for dainty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Delicate, small, and pretty in an elegant way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Delicate, small, and pretty in an elegant way.
“She wore dainty lace gloves to the wedding.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Fussy or overly particular, especially about food.
“He's far too dainty to eat street food.”
Opposites
How to use dainty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a dainty little
dainty morsel
too dainty for
Etymology
From Old French deintié, going back to Latin dignitatem — the same root that gives us "dignity."
Full origin of dainty →Frequently asked questions
What does “dainty” mean?
The word “dainty” means delicate, small, and pretty in an elegant way. In plain terms, small, delicate, and elegant — or, for a person, fussy about what they'll eat or touch.
How do you pronounce “dainty”?
“Dainty” is pronounced DAYN-tee (/ˈdeɪnti/ in IPA).
How do you use “dainty” in a sentence?
Here is “dainty” used in a sentence: “She wore dainty lace gloves to the wedding.”
What part of speech is “dainty”?
Depending on how it is used, “dainty” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “dainty” come from?
The word “dainty” comes from Latin. From Old French deintié, going back to Latin dignitatem — the same root that gives us "dignity.".
How many meanings does “dainty” have?
“Dainty” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: delicate, small, and pretty in an elegant way.
