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
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; see dignity
Explanation
Dainty means tiny, delicate, and lovely, so you could describe a little china tea set as dainty, and you could also call the tiny cakes on the little plates dainty. The original meaning of dainty, back in the 1300s, was "choice morsel of food," and it's still used that way to talk about a delicacy or a treat. More often, dainty is used as an adjective to describe something that's delicate and lovely in a complimentary way.
Vocabulary lists containing dainty
List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Ms Dainty said she was currently living upstairs in her home due to having no support from the council or letting agents, as their home is owned by HS2.
From BBC • Jan. 2, 2025
Burgos, a resident of North Hollywood, is a licensed optician — she describes herself as an essential healthcare worker — and co-owner of a murder mystery theater company called Dainty Dames Events.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2024
Driven by her mother, a thwarted actress, Ms. Withers debuted on the vaudeville stage at 2 and by 4 had her own radio show in Atlanta billed as “Dixie’s Dainty Dewdrop.”
From Washington Post • Aug. 8, 2021
It was a theme also plumbed by Cottweiler, designed by Matthew Dainty and Ben Cottrell.
From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2019
In The Wizard of Oz—the book, not the movie—Dorothy goes to this place called the Dainty China Country, and all the people are tiny and perfect.
From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
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.
