noun
-
dignified grace in appearance, movement, or behaviour
-
good taste in design, style, arrangement, etc
-
something elegant; a refinement
Other Word Forms
- hyperelegance noun
- overelegance noun
- superelegance noun
Etymology
Origin of elegance
1500–10; < Middle French < Latin ēlegantia choiceness. See elegant, -ance
Explanation
Elegance is a quality of style and grace. In our age of jeans and sneakers, the elegance of actresses on the red carpet on Oscar night is such a welcome sight. It comes from the Latin elegantia, "taste, propriety, or refinement." Fashion designer and eternal fashion icon Coco Chanel famously said, "Elegance is refusal," meaning it's best to skip the big jewelry and flashy clothes in favor of simple styles made from luxurious fabrics that one could wear forever — and look great every time. Elegance also describes the beautiful simplicity of a solution, such as an elegant mathematical proof.
Vocabulary lists containing elegance
Our Town
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!
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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!
"Novio Boy: Scene 7, Part 1" and "Oranges"
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.
The listing described the abode as a serene spot where “timeless elegance and modern convenience blend seamlessly in the heart of Beverly Hills.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
"A classical elegance – a couple incredibly atypical," it says.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Whether rounded for elegance, cat-eye for chicness or with a gradient lens for a dreaminess, sunnies finish a look.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Renderings of the project shared exclusively with Realtor.com reveal that the properties exude elegance and feature state-of-the-art appliances and modern finishes.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
And the lindy-hopping there matched the size and elegance of the place.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
