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elegance definition

el·egance (el′ə gəns)

noun

  1. the quality of being elegant; specif.,
    1. dignified richness and grace, as of design
    2. polished fastidiousness or refined grace, as in manners
    3. clever aptness and simplicity
  2. anything elegant

Etymology: Fr élégance < L elegantia

Also, esp. for elegancesense , elegancy el′·egan·cy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

elegance Synonyms

elegance

n.

  1. Refinement

    culture, tastefulness, taste, cultivation, polish, style, grace, delicacy, class*, tone*, politeness*, politesse (French), gentility*, breeding*, splendor*, beauty*, magnificence*, grandeur*, courtliness*, hauteur*, nobility*, noblesse*, charm*, sophistication*, propriety*, dignity*, restraint*, nicety*, fineness*, richness*, sumptuousness, luxuriousness, opulence, finery*, poshness.

  2. Proportion

    symmetry, balance, rhythm, clarity, purity, felicity, grace, gracefulness, daintiness, exquisiteness, delicacy, fineness, comeliness; see also beauty 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

elegance Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • understate: Behind its imposing neoclassical façade lies a world of understated elegance.

Adjective modifier

  • sartorial: Having flown in - yes, that was flown in - especially from the States, Danny was a figure of sartorial elegance.

Preposition: into

  • puzzle: Sudoku combines simplicity and elegance into fiendishly difficult puzzles... to solve a simple 4 x 4 Sudoku puzzle.

Preposition: in

  • setting: The 271 guest rooms and bungalows are nestled within the tropical gardens and offer casual elegance in a luxurious setting.

Preposition: of

  • era: Great care was taken to recapture all the elegance of that era with the highest standards of 20th century comforts.

Preposition: with

  • comfort: Conveniently located on the sea front overlooking the Solent, the Best Western Royal Beach Hotel combines Victorian elegance with modern comforts.

Preposition: for

  • lady: In the evening dress is semi formal ( jacket with or without tie for gentlemen and casual elegance for ladies.
elegance usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

elegance quotes

Fashion anticipates, and elegance is a state of mind.

-Cassini, Oleg Lolewski

His true Penelope was Flaubert, He fished by obstinate isles; Observed the elegance of Circe's hair Rather than the mottoes on sundials.

-Pound, Ezra Loomis

Learn of the green world what can be thy place In scaled invention or true artistry, Pull down thy vanity, Paquin pull down! The green casque has outdone your elegance.

-Pound, Ezra Loomis

elegance quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"elegance." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/elegance>

APA Style

elegance. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/elegance

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