adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
/ˈɛləɡənt/
[ˈɛləɡənt]
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:EH1 L AH0 G AH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Characterised by or exhibiting elegance; having grace, refinement, or tasteful simplicity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: classy, graceful, refined, dressy
Antonyms: inelegant, clumsy
2
adj
Meaning 2
Characterised by minimalism and intuitiveness while preserving exactness and precision.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
an elegant solution
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: inelegant, sloppy, haphazard
3
adj
Meaning 3
Fine; doing well.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Ireland, archaic, colloquial
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An elegant parrot.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective
Meaning 5
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
elegant handwriting
an elegant dark suit
she was elegant to her fingertips
small churches with elegant white spires
an elegant mathematical solution--simple and precise and lucid
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: inelegant
6
adjective satellite
Meaning 6
displaying effortless beauty and simplicity in movement or execution
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an elegant dancer
an elegant mathematical solution -- simple and precise
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective satellite
Meaning 7
suggesting taste, ease, and wealth
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: graceful, refined
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Late Middle English elegaunt, from Middle French elegant, ultimately from Latin ēlegāns, collateral form of present participle of ēligere, from ex- (“out of, from”) + legō (“choose, select, appoint”).
Across languages
Translations
73 source translations are retained for this English entry.
