dainty

1 of 2

noun

dain·​ty ˈdān-tē How to pronounce dainty (audio)
plural dainties
1
a
: something delicious to the taste
a London dainty—a pyramid of jellyVirginia Woolf
b
: something choice or pleasing
2
obsolete : fastidiousness

dainty

2 of 2

adjective

daintier; daintiest
1
a
: tasting good : tasty
dainty morsels
b
: attractively prepared and served
dainty sandwiches on silver trays
2
: marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace
dainty teacups
took a dainty sip
3
obsolete : chary, reluctant
… let us not be dainty of leave-taking …Shakespeare
4
a
: marked by fastidious discrimination or finicky taste
b
: showing avoidance of anything rough
gentry too dainty to risk blisters on their handsG. W. Johnson
daintily adverb
daintiness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of dainty in a Sentence

Noun the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry Adjective Her hair was decorated with dainty pink flowers. the girl's dainty little hands The dancers' dainty steps were followed by a series of leaps. She took a dainty sip of tea from her teacup. They served dainty sandwiches on silver trays. The food was served in dainty portions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The star lounged poolside on a towel in the photo, accessorizing her triangle bikini top and matching bottoms with a dainty gold bracelet and natural manicure. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 This set elevates basic outfits with a perfectly dainty charm that will never go out of style. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2024 But once Juno completed that mandate in 2021, its operators sketched out a new plan for the craft to examine three of Jupiter’s moons, as well as the behemoth’s dainty rings. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2024 That evening was also my first encounter with a gray fox, a secretive, dainty and beautiful creature that inhabits San Diego wildlands from coastal canyons to desert slopes. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024 Find it on Amazon This Heart Necklace To Show Your Love Treat a special someone to an extra special gift with this Heart Necklace that is both dainty and simple. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2023 For a more subtle look, adorn a solid-colored manicure with dainty gold pearls. Annie Blay, Allure, 20 Feb. 2024 For more prim and proper accessories, there are simple belts, dainty jewels, and silky neck scarves. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 With minimalist eyelet details, the dainty design is also stretchy and supportive. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2024
Adjective
From smaller, daintier hair ties suited for collarbone-length hair to big hair bows that still manage to be lightweight, these scrunchies are easy to put on and even easier to style. Michelle Rostamian, Allure, 1 Feb. 2024 Prada’s lace version is delightfully dainty, especially when styled alongside metallic evening sandals from Zara and Loewe’s sequined tote. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 June 2023 The late America Eats Tavern is recalled with dishes including the country’s daintiest chicken wings. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 But for me, it’s been very classy, very dainty, and polite. Breanna Bell, Variety, 10 Apr. 2023 These shoes are often dainty, delicate and decidedly inappropriate for a rugged day in the urban wilderness. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023 The Bazaar also serves the country’s daintiest chicken wings, which are confited, deboned, pressed, fried and treated to a doll-size cube of blue cheese and a housemade hot sauce enriched with chicken jus. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023 But weighing in at just over 25 pounds, it’s not particularly dainty. Micki Wagner, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023 Rentrayage's sale section has several one-of-a-kind home goods right now, including a glass pitcher to match this dainty little set. Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dainty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English deinte, dainte "state of honor, high esteem, delight, luxury, marvel, delicacy, choice morsel," borrowed from Anglo-French deinté, dainté "esteem, fine object or deed, choice morsel" (continental Old French deintié), going back to Latin dignitāt-, dignitās "suitability, excellence, standing, esteem" — more at dignity

Adjective

Middle English deinte "excellent, delightful, (of food or drink) fine, delicious," adjective derivative of deinte, dainte "high esteem, delight, luxury, delicacy, choice morsel" — more at dainty entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dainty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dainty

Cite this Entry

“Dainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dainty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dainty

1 of 2 noun
dain·​ty ˈdānt-ē How to pronounce dainty (audio)
plural dainties
: something delicious to the taste : delicacy

dainty

2 of 2 adjective
daintier; daintiest
1
2
: delicately pretty
a dainty flower
3
: having or showing delicate or finicky taste
a dainty eater
daintily adverb
daintiness noun

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