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View synonyms for

dainty

[deyn-tee]

adjective

daintier, daintiest 
  1. of delicate beauty; exquisite.

    a dainty lace handkerchief.

    Synonyms:
  2. pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious.

    dainty pastries.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  3. of delicate discrimination or taste; particular.

    a dainty eater.

  4. overly particular; finicky; fastidious.

    Synonyms:


noun

plural

dainties 
  1. something delicious to the taste; a delicacy.

    Synonyms:

dainty

/ ˈɪԳɪ /

adjective

  1. delicate or elegant

    a dainty teacup

  2. pleasing to the taste; choice; delicious

    a dainty morsel

  3. refined, esp excessively genteel; fastidious

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a choice piece of food, esp a small cake or sweet; delicacy

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • daintily adverb
  • daintiness noun
  • overdaintiness noun
  • overdainty adjective
  • superdainty adjective
  • undaintiness noun
  • undainty adjective
  • ˈ岹Գپ adverb
  • ˈ岹ԳپԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dainty1

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 徱Ծ- (stem of 徱Ծ ); the adjective is derivative of the noun; dignity
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dainty1

C13: from Old French 𾱲Գپé, from Latin 徱Ծ dignity
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It's unbecoming . . . the way a man's lip purses. The size of the straw is too dainty.”

From

Tofu has some real bulk, too — it's not a flimsy, dainty thing.

From

To some, they conjure ideas of haute cuisine fuss — dainty smears, baby food textures, or unnecessary embellishment.

From

Botox is now injected behind the ears to tilt them forward, creating the illusion of a smaller, daintier face.

From

With dainty sprouts peaking up through rich soil beds and the overflowing pots of fresh herbs, this season is a delight.

From

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