elegant
pronunciation
How to pronounce elegant in British English:
UK [ˈelɪɡənt]
How to pronounce elegant in American English:
US [ˈelɪɡənt]
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- Adjective:
- refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
- suggesting taste, ease, and wealth
- of seemingly effortless beauty in form or proportion
- refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
Word Origin
- elegant
- elegant: [15] Someone who made careful, fastidious choices was termed in Latin ēlegāns. This was the present participle of a hypothetical verb *ēlegāre, a derivative of ēligere ‘pick out, select’ (source of English elect). Originally it seems to have been a derogatory term – ‘fussy, foppish’ – but by classical times it signified more approvingly ‘making refined choices’, and was also transferred to the things chosen – ‘choice, tasteful’. English probably acquired the word via French.=> elect
- elegant (adj.)
- late 15c., "tastefully ornate," from Middle French élégant (15c.), from Latin elegantem (nominative elegans) "choice, fine, tasteful," collateral form of present participle of eligere "select with care, choose." Meaning "characterized by refined grace" is from 1520s. Latin elegans originally was a term of reproach, "dainty, fastidious;" the notion of "tastefully refined" emerged in classical Latin. Related: Elegantly. Elegant implies that anything of an artificial character to which it is applied is the result of training and cultivation through the study of models or ideals of grace; graceful implies less of consciousness, and suggests often a natural gift. A rustic, uneducated girl may be naturally graceful, but not elegant.
Antonym
Example
- 1. Most of the structures are stunningly unique and elegant .
- 2. They are of such elegant people .
- 3. With trembling hands she touched the elegant material of big red .
- 4. She was wearing an elegant dress with an elliptical pattern .
- 5. A simple and elegant idea , can the technology behind neverware really be that incredible ?