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
adjective
-
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
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"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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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.
Spaced closely in the footwell, three dainty foot pedals make it possible for drivers to push the gas pedal with the side of the right foot while holding down the brake pedal and clutching—heel-and-toe downshifting.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
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
Inside, dainty horse figurines painted in pastels peek out from nooks and crannies.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 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
But he resisted her with such skill that she was finally driven out to escape the inevitable boredom produced by such a dainty life.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
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.
