dainty

noun dain·ty \ ˈdān-tē \

Updated on: 10 Nov 2017

Definition of dainty

plural dainties

1 a : something delicious to the taste

a London dainty—a pyramid of jelly
—Virginia Woolf

b : something choice or pleasing

2 obsolete : fastidiousness

See dainty defined for kids

Examples of dainty in a Sentence

the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry

Origin and Etymology of dainty

Middle English deinte high esteem, delight, from Anglo-French deinté, from Latin dignitat-, dignitas dignity, worth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

dainty Synonyms

Synonyms

bit, cate [archaic], delicacy, delectable, goody (or goodie), kickshaw, tidbit (also titbit), treat, viand

Related Words

morsel; candy, dessert, junket, sweet, sweetmeat

dainty

adjective

Definition of dainty

daintier; daintiest

1 a : tasting good : tasty

dainty morsels

b : attractively prepared and served

dainty sandwiches on silver trays

2 : marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace

dainty teacups

took a dainty sip

3 obsolete : chary, reluctant

… let us not be dainty of leave-taking …
—Shakespeare

4 a : marked by fastidious discrimination or finicky taste

b : showing avoidance of anything rough

gentry too dainty to risk blisters on their hands
—G. W. Johnson

—

daintily

play \ˈdān-tə-lē\ adverb

—

daintiness

play \ˈdān-tē-nəs\ noun

See dainty defined for English-language learners

Examples of dainty in a Sentence

Her hair was decorated with dainty pink flowers.
the girl's dainty little hands
The dancers' dainty steps were followed by a series of leaps.
She took a dainty sip of tea from her teacup.
They served dainty sandwiches on silver trays.
The food was served in dainty portions.

Recent Examples of dainty from the Web

At a hearing in 1970, Michael argued women would require daintier desks in classrooms and noted that there were few women’s restrooms in campus buildings.

— matt schudel, Washington Post, "John C. Lowe, lawyer who sued to have women admitted to U-Va., dies at 80," 26 Oct. 2017
The ultra-decadent truffle mac ’n’ cheese — with mushrooms, Gouda, thyme and unctuous bone marrow — is made with one of the more underrated pasta shapes: dainty ditalini.

— michele parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "50 things about Hundred Proof," 18 Oct. 2017
The grand piano looks dainty near the dining room with its 33-foot ceiling.

— by gaile robinson photos by ross hailey, star-telegram, "Gainesville home is a natural, Texana-style beauty," 4 Oct. 2017
Rocking chairs are usually dainty, the kind of thing elderly aunts park in.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "From Scott Jones' house to your house: 8 items of possible interest," 11 Sep. 2017
Instead of a ferocious roar or a dainty mew, the calls made by these majestic creatures sound more like a squeaky door hinge.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "These Wild Cats Make the Weirdest Sound," 6 Sep. 2017
Some daffodils are tall and stately, and some are a dainty 6 inches high.

— beth botts, chicagotribune.com, "Fall back on daffodils for reliable spring blooms," 6 Sep. 2017
To be sure, a coupe glass is pretty dainty, but drinking out of it doesn’t make one any less of a man.

— kevin hopper, idahostatesman, "Glassware just as important as the spirits it holds | Idaho Statesman," 31 Oct. 2017
Given the strong dose of color underfoot, Depp was able to forgo distracting accessories but added a dainty gold necklace and small hoop earrings for a shining finish.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Lily-Rose Depp Puts a French Girl Spin on This Celebrity Shoe Trend," 30 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dainty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dainty

see ¹dainty

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

dainty Synonyms

Synonyms

choosy (or choosey), finicky, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, fussbudgety, fussy, nice, old-maidish, particular, pernickety [chiefly British], persnickety, picky

Antonyms

undemanding, unfastidious, unfussy

Near Antonyms

affable, breezy, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lackadaisical, laid-back, low-pressure, relaxed; flexible, lax, loose; lenient, permissive; uncritical; indiscriminating, undiscriminating

Synonym Discussion of dainty

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

- choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

- an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

- a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

- rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

- delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

- dainty sandwiches

DAINTY Defined for English Language Learners

dainty

adjective

Definition of dainty for English Language Learners

: small and pretty
: done with small and careful movements
of food : attractive and served in small amounts

DAINTY Defined for Kids

dainty

noun dain·ty \ ˈdān-tē \

Definition of dainty for Students

plural dainties

: a delicious food : delicacy

dainty

adjective

Definition of dainty for Students

daintier; daintiest

1 : tasting good

2 : pretty in a delicate way

dainty flowers

3 : having or showing delicate or finicky taste

He is a dainty eater.

—

daintily

\ˈdān-tə-lē\ adverb

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dainty

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daintiness

Examples of dainty in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of dainty

dainty Synonyms

Synonyms

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DAINTY Defined for English Language Learners

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