dainty
1 of 2noun
dain·ty ˈdān-tē 
plural dainties
1
a
: something delicious to the taste
a London dainty—a pyramid of jelly
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf b
: something choice or pleasing
2
obsolete : fastidiousness
dainty
2 of 2adjective
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
Shakespeare4
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
G. W. Johnson daintily
ˈdān-tə-lē
adverb daintiness
ˈdān-tē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
Noun
- bit
- cate [archaic]
- delectable
- delicacy
- goody
- goodie
- kickshaw
- tidbit
- titbit
- treat
- viand
Adjective
- choosy
- choosey
- delicate
- demanding
- exacting
- fastidious
- finical
- finicking
- finicky
- fussbudgety
- fussy
- nice
- old-maidish
- particular
- pernickety [chiefly British]
- persnickety
- picky
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry Adjective 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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Emma accessorized with a dainty, thin necklace, a few simple bracelets and rings, a retro pair of lavender aviator sunglasses, and red nail polish. Seventeen, 12 Aug. 2022 Complementing the vibrant look with minimal jewelry, Palmer wore one gold ring and dainty gold hoops. Melody Leibner, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 July 2022 This dainty Kendra Scott necklace that's $14 off has also adorned the necks of a slew of A-listers, including Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, and Lucy Hale. Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022 This dainty, minimalist chain bracelet from Mejuri is a staple that could last you a lifetime. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 27 July 2022 Keep her guessing with this dainty silver or gold bracelet that comes with a message (up to 9 characters) written in morse code. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2022 The actress kept things simple on the accessories front, sticking to gold hoops and layering three dainty necklaces. Jake Smith, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2022 Throughout the film, which runs just shy of 90 minutes, Fleischer Camp trains the camera on shots of dainty objects and fleeting moments—a drape fluttering in the wind, beams of sunlight hitting a spider web. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022 Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 For a while, the flames had a meek, almost dainty quality; the vegetation was too damp to burn very fiercely. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The latter two were last seen headed to Mexico, Rachel keeping her complexion fair under a dainty travel umbrella while on horseback. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Inside, a dainty mechanical tourbillon movement proves this beauty has brains. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2022 In the photos, Jolie looks classy in a black wrap dress that's tied around the waist and features billowing sleeves, paired with a matching leather shoulder bag by Yves Saint Laurent, large black sunglasses, and a dainty gold-and-diamond necklace. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2022 For proof that face tats can be dainty and adorable, look no further than the Manic singer. Carly Breit, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 Marie-Chantal created seven sweet designs for the collaboration, including a bear print, a dainty floral print, an embroidered buffalo print, and a rabbit print. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Given the dress certainly commanded attention, Sweeney and Dickson chose to accessorize the look minimally, with Jimmy Choo’s steel-toe pumps and elegant jewelry from De Beers including a dainty diamond necklace. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
Masses of dainty yellow and white flowers cover this low growing ground cover in mid to late spring. Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Emma accessorized with a dainty, thin necklace, a few simple bracelets and rings, a retro pair of lavender aviator sunglasses, and red nail polish. Seventeen, 12 Aug. 2022 Complementing the vibrant look with minimal jewelry, Palmer wore one gold ring and dainty gold hoops. Melody Leibner, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 July 2022 This dainty Kendra Scott necklace that's $14 off has also adorned the necks of a slew of A-listers, including Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, and Lucy Hale. Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022 This dainty, minimalist chain bracelet from Mejuri is a staple that could last you a lifetime. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 27 July 2022 Keep her guessing with this dainty silver or gold bracelet that comes with a message (up to 9 characters) written in morse code. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2022 The actress kept things simple on the accessories front, sticking to gold hoops and layering three dainty necklaces. Jake Smith, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2022 Throughout the film, which runs just shy of 90 minutes, Fleischer Camp trains the camera on shots of dainty objects and fleeting moments—a drape fluttering in the wind, beams of sunlight hitting a spider web. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022 Adjective
Her black cat-eye sunglasses and layered dainty gold necklaces only elevated her look even more. Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 For a while, the flames had a meek, almost dainty quality; the vegetation was too damp to burn very fiercely. New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The latter two were last seen headed to Mexico, Rachel keeping her complexion fair under a dainty travel umbrella while on horseback. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Inside, a dainty mechanical tourbillon movement proves this beauty has brains. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2022 In the photos, Jolie looks classy in a black wrap dress that's tied around the waist and features billowing sleeves, paired with a matching leather shoulder bag by Yves Saint Laurent, large black sunglasses, and a dainty gold-and-diamond necklace. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2022 For proof that face tats can be dainty and adorable, look no further than the Manic singer. Carly Breit, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 Marie-Chantal created seven sweet designs for the collaboration, including a bear print, a dainty floral print, an embroidered buffalo print, and a rabbit print. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Given the dress certainly commanded attention, Sweeney and Dickson chose to accessorize the look minimally, with Jimmy Choo’s steel-toe pumps and elegant jewelry from De Beers including a dainty diamond necklace. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English deinte, dainte "state of honor, high esteem, delight, luxury, marvel, delicacy, choice morsel," borrowed from Anglo-French deinté, dainté "esteem, fine object or deed, choice morsel" (continental Old French deintié), going back to Latin dignitāt-, dignitās "suitability, excellence, standing, esteem" — more at dignity
Adjective
Middle English deinte "excellent, delightful, (of food or drink) fine, delicious," adjective derivative of deinte, dainte "high esteem, delight, luxury, delicacy, choice morsel" — more at dainty entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
dainty 1 of 2
noun
dain·ty ˈdān-tē
plural dainties
: a delicious food : delicacy
dainty
2 of 2adjective
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.
dainty 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in delicate
hard to please you can't afford to be dainty about food when you're starving Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- delicate
- nice
- finicking
- careful
- finicky
- fussy
- fastidious
- particular
- demanding
- picky
- exacting
- persnickety
- pernickety
- choosy
- finical
- meticulous
- selective
- fussbudgety
- old-maidish
- choosey
- discriminating
- discerning
- critical
- prissy
- punctilious
- insightful
- captious
- overdemanding
- painstaking
- petulant
- scrupulous
- knowledgeable
- prim
- ultrafastidious
- peevish
- overcritical
- hypercritical
- caviling
- hyperfastidious
- faultfinding
- squeamish
- touchy
- carping
- queasy
- prickly
- cavilling
- queazy
- niminy-piminy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unfussy
- undemanding
- breezy
- carefree
- affable
- loose
- lackadaisical
- unfastidious
- relaxed
- lax
- flexible
- lenient
- laid-back
- permissive
- happy-go-lucky
- devil-may-care
- uncritical
- indiscriminating
- undiscriminating
- low-pressure
2
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste the dainty hors d'oeuvres were delicious, but not terribly filling Synonyms & Similar Words
- elegant
- exquisite
- fine
- rare
- delicate
- select
- special
- exceptional
- excellent
- choice
- exclusive
- fancy
- recherché
- wonderful
- premium
- classic
- outstanding
- bijou
- fabulous
- great
- superb
- better
- sterling
- jewellike
- splendid
- elite
- noble
- marvelous
- terrific
- sensational
- superior
- superlative
- stellar
- grand
- top
- prime
- transcendent
- par excellence
- high-grade
- marvellous
- supernal
- unsurpassed
- first-rate
- first-class
- top-notch
- tip-top
- ultrarare
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- coarse
- vulgar
- kitschy
- raffish
- gross
- tasteless
- unrefined
- rough
- unpolished
- uncultured
- lowbrow
- kitsch
- ordinary
- uncultivated
- commercial
- popular
- common
- rough-hewn
- average
- lesser
- mediocre
- mass-produced
- inferior
- deficient
- unsatisfactory
- substandard
- unacceptable
- run-of-the-mill
- wanting
- run-of-the-mine
- second-rate
- second-class
- low-grade
- run-of-mine
3
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness a set of dainty teacups that would be perfect for an elderly lady Synonyms & Similar Words
- exquisite
- subtle
- delicate
- elegant
- refined
- rare
- airy
- supreme
- extraordinary
- fine
- nuanced
- superior
- prime
- choice
- select
- selected
- fragile
- peerless
- incomparable
- picked
- superlative
- transcendent
- frail
- unsurpassed
- preeminent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sturdy
- strong
- robust
- coarse
- crude
- ordinary
- rough
- common
- average
- indifferent
- fair
- middling
- mediocre
- medium
- run-of-the-mill
- second-rate
4
as in delicious
very pleasing to the sense of taste the sort of dainty finger foods that might be served at afternoon tea Synonyms & Similar Words
- delicious
- tasteful
- delectable
- succulent
- edible
- scrumptious
- tasty
- flavorful
- yummy
- savory
- toothsome
- luscious
- appetizing
- lush
- mouthwatering
- flavorsome
- delightful
- toothy
- ambrosial
- heavenly
- savoury
- delish
- palatable
- delicate
- pleasing
- exquisite
- pleasant
- eatable
- satisfying
- agreeable
- digestible
- rare
- gratifying
- choice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insipid
- flat
- tasteless
- distasteful
- banal
- unsavory
- boring
- tedious
- unpalatable
- commonplace
- stale
- unappetizing
- stinky
- smelly
- flavorless
- noisome
- noxious
- yucky
- disagreeable
- wretched
- unwholesome
- yukky
- repulsive
- disgusting
- detestable
- unpleasant
- miserable
- horrid
- awful
- repugnant
- abominable
- sickening
- offensive
- nauseating
- abhorrent
- repellent
- foul
- repellant
dainty
2 of 2noun
as in treat
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry Synonyms & Similar Words
- treat
- sweet
- delectable
- candy
- goody
- cate
- viand
- delicacy
- kickshaw
- bit
- titbit
- tidbit
- dessert
- goodie
- morsel
- sweetmeat
- junket
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of dainty are choice, delicate, elegant, exquisite, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.
dainty sandwiches
The synonyms choice and dainty are sometimes interchangeable, but choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.
choice fabric
While the synonyms delicate and dainty are close in meaning, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.
delicate craftsmanship
The meanings of elegant and dainty largely overlap; however, elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.
a sumptuous but elegant dining room
The words exquisite and dainty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.
an exquisite gold bracelet
While in some cases nearly identical to dainty, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.
rare beauty