elegant
EH-luh-guhnt
Elegant (adj) means Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner. Example: “The dancer's elegant movements held the whole room in silence.”
adj
1
Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
"The dancer's elegant movements held the whole room in silence."
"She wore an elegant gown to the gala."
"The hotel lobby had an elegant, understated design."
2
Neatly and cleverly simple, especially describing a solution or idea.
"It is an elegant proof that fits on just three lines."
"Her elegant solution saved the team hours of repetitive work."
"The engineer came up with an elegant fix that used half the parts of the original design."
How to use elegant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTastefully graceful, or (for an idea or design) cleverly simple without losing accuracy.
Common pairings
elegant solution
elegant design
elegant style
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Word forms
- Plural
- elegants
- Comparative
- more elegant
- Superlative
- most elegant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dancer's _____ movements held the whole room in silence.
Etymology
From Middle French elegant, ultimately from Latin ēlegāns, related to ēligere ("to choose carefully") — the same root as "elect."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “elegant” mean?
The word “elegant” means graceful and stylish in appearance or manner. In plain terms, tastefully graceful, or (for an idea or design) cleverly simple without losing accuracy.
How do you pronounce “elegant”?
“Elegant” is pronounced EH-luh-guhnt (/ˈɛləɡənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “elegant” in a sentence?
Here is “elegant” used in a sentence: “She wore an elegant gown to the gala.”
What part of speech is “elegant”?
“Elegant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “elegant” come from?
The word “elegant” comes from Latin. From Middle French elegant, ultimately from Latin ēlegāns, related to ēligere ("to choose carefully") — the same root as "elect.".
Is “elegant” a common word?
“Elegant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “elegant” have?
“Elegant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
What is the difference between elegant and stylish?
Stylish means fashionable and in line with current trends, while elegant suggests a graceful, refined, and understated good taste that is not tied to passing fashion. Something elegant looks polished and effortless, whereas something stylish looks trendy.
What is the difference between elegant and graceful?
Graceful describes smooth, attractive movement or form, while elegant combines that grace with refined style in appearance or manner. All elegant things have a sense of grace, but elegant adds an air of sophistication and good taste.
Can "elegant" describe a solution or idea?
Yes. Beyond appearance, elegant can describe a solution, proof, or idea that is neatly and cleverly simple, achieving a lot with little complication. Scientists and mathematicians often call a concise, effective method "elegant."
What are common collocations with elegant?
Elegant commonly pairs with words such as elegant dress, elegant design, elegant solution, and elegantly simple. It is used to praise both physical appearance and clever simplicity.
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