svelte
Americanadjective
-
slender, especially gracefully slender in figure; lithe.
-
suave; blandly urbane.
adjective
-
attractively or gracefully slim; slender
-
urbane or sophisticated
Etymology
Origin of svelte
1810–20; < French < Italian svelto < Vulgar Latin *exvellitus pulled out (replacing Latin ēvulsus, past participle of ēvellere ), equivalent to Latin ex- ex- 1 + velli-, variant stem of vellere to pull, pluck + -tus past participle suffix
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.
It’s easy to adore the star in the mid-to-late 1950s when he’s young and svelte, scandalizing and delighting America with his wiggly hips, popularizing a new sound dubbed rock ‘n’ roll.
Ads from American Express, which unveiled its Platinum card in 1984, featured Carol Channing in long gloves holding a diamond and “Don’t leave home without it” printed in a svelte serif.
It’s a svelte, melodic style of dance music pitched between European deep house, jazzy R&B and local styles like kwaito and gqom.
From Los Angeles Times
“That’s very cool,” Winter said, adding that the bird seemed graceful as a ballerina, “the most aloof, elegant, svelte creature ever.”
From Los Angeles Times
Why do some dog breeds struggle to stay svelte?
From Science Magazine
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.
