First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1dainty
noun dain·ty \ˈdān-tē\
plural dain·ties
Definition of DAINTY
1
a : something delicious to the taste b : something choice or pleasing
2
obsolete : fastidiousness
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Origin of DAINTY
Middle English deinte high esteem, delight, from Anglo-French deinté, from Latin dignitat-, dignitas dignity, worth
2dainty
adjective
: small and pretty
: done with small and careful movements
of food : attractive and served in small amounts
dain·ti·erdain·ti·est
Full Definition of DAINTY
1
a : tasting good : tasty b : attractively prepared and served
2
: marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace <dainty teacups>
4
a : marked by fastidious discrimination or finicky taste b : showing avoidance of anything rough
— dain·ti·ly \ˈdān-tə-lē\ adverb
— dain·ti·ness \ˈdān-tē-nəs\ noun
See dainty defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DAINTY
14th century
Related to DAINTY
- 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
Synonym Discussion of DAINTY
choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely <freedom of choice>. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed <the option of paying now or later>. alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility <equally attractive alternatives>. preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections <a preference for cool weather>. selection implies a range of choice <a varied selection of furniture>. election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment <doing a tax return forces certain elections on you>.
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>.
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>.
DAINTINESS Defined for Kids
1dainty
noun dain·ty \ˈdān-tē\
plural dain·ties
Definition of DAINTY for Kids
: a delicious food : delicacy
2dainty
adjective
dain·ti·erdain·ti·est
Definition of DAINTY for Kids
1
: tasting good
2
: pretty in a delicate way <dainty flowers>
3
: having or showing delicate or finicky taste <He is a dainty eater.>
— dain·ti·ly \ˈdān-tə-lē\ adverb
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