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.
"It's crazy as our websites are completely different. I sell sterling silver, dainty pieces and engagement jewellery," she said.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025
Masks must be worn—not Covid-era mouth and nose coverings but more elaborate versions; if you don’t bring your own you will be provided with a dainty lace eye mask.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025
With dainty sprouts peaking up through rich soil beds and the overflowing pots of fresh herbs, this season is a delight.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2025
Still tethered around her neck is a dainty gold chain with the name of her fourth studio album, “Encuentros,” released Oct.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2024
She was wearing a bright white embroidered blouse and shoes made of black velvet with square toes and a dainty string tying them to her ankles.
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
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.
