svelte

[svelt, sfelt]

adjective

svelter, sveltest 

1. slender, especially gracefully slender in figure; lithe.

2. suave; blandly urbane.

svelte

/ sfɛlt, svɛlt /

adjective

1. attractively or gracefully slim; slender

2. urbane or sophisticated

Word History and Origins

Origin of svelte¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of svelte¹

C19: from French, from Italian svelto, from svellere to pull out, from Latin ēvellere, from _ex- ¹ + vellere to pull

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In your special you once again come out onstage in all your shirtless glory — congrats on looking much more svelte these days.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s a svelte, melodic style of dance music pitched between European deep house, jazzy R&B and local styles like kwaito and gqom.

Read more on 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.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Why do some dog breeds struggle to stay svelte?

Read more on Science Magazine

Related Words

• graceful 
• lithe 
• slender