dainty
Americanadjective
-
of delicate beauty; exquisite.
a dainty lace handkerchief.
- Synonyms:
- fine
-
pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious.
dainty pastries.
- Synonyms:
- scrumptious, mouth-watering, delectable, tender
-
of delicate discrimination or taste; particular.
a dainty eater.
-
overly particular; finicky; fastidious.
- Synonyms:
- overnice
noun
plural
daintiesadjective
-
delicate or elegant
a dainty teacup
-
pleasing to the taste; choice; delicious
a dainty morsel
-
refined, esp excessively genteel; fastidious
noun
Related Words
See delicate. See particular.
Other Word Forms
- daintily adverb
- daintiness noun
- overdaintiness noun
- overdainty adjective
- superdainty adjective
- undaintiness noun
- undainty adjective
Etymology
Origin of dainty
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun deinte, dainte, dente “worthiness, happiness, delicacy,” from Anglo-French deinte, Old French deint(i)e, from Latin dignitāt- (stem of dignitās ); the adjective is derivative of the noun; dignity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When the instructions were obeyed, participants were rewarded with dainty spirit lights near the floor.
From Literature
She had a perfect head, small and dainty.
From Literature
It’s as dainty as the tablecloths inside, and it doesn’t quite match up with the rest of her.
From Literature
This “Hamlet” isn’t a dainty affair but a colorful attack meant to reanimate a cracking good tale.
From Los Angeles Times
Nevertheless, I batted my eyes and waved my dainty black fan at my four companions, trying hard to appear like I was enjoying their company.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
