Dainty definition

dāntē
daintier dainties daintiest
See word origin
Frequency:
Delicious and choice.

A dainty morsel.

adjective
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2
Delicately pretty or lovely.
adjective
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1
noun
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Delicious; tasty.

A dainty dish.

adjective
6
4
Frail in constitution or health.
adjective
2
2
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The definition of dainty is delicate or small and often pretty.

An example of something dainty is a tiny little teacup with a beautiful design on it.

adjective
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Of or showing delicate and refined taste; fastidious.
adjective
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Overly or affectedly fastidious; squeamish.
adjective
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(Canada, Prairies and northwestern Ontario) A fancy cookie, pastry, or square served at a social event (usually plural).
noun
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adjective
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Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
adjective
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Fastidious or finicky.
adjective
1
2
Something delicious; a delicacy.
noun
1
2
A choice food; delicacy.
noun
1
2
Delicately beautiful or charming and usually small.

Dainty slippers.

adjective
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2
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
dainty
Plural:
dainties

Adjective

Base Form:
dainty
Comparative:
daintier
Superlative:
daintiest

Origin of dainty

  • Middle English deinte excellent, excellence from Old French deintie from Latin dignitās from dignus worthy dek- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem.

    From Wiktionary

Dainty Sentence Examples

  • They're so dainty they almost make you cry.

  • She has on a dainty lace dress and satin slippers.

  • From her long neck to her slender ankles, Claudette was dainty and feminine.

  • Dainty cat prints trekked through the flour she'd spilled on the counter.

  • Cynthia asked out of politeness as Effie picked up a chocolate chip cookie with dainty fingers.

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Words near dainty in the Dictionary