ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Dainty

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈdeɪnti/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Dainty is an adjective meaning Elegant; delicately small and pretty.

Meaning

Elegant; delicately small and pretty.

Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
A delicacy (choice or pleasing food).
(Northwestern Ontario, Canadian Prairies, British Columbia, usually in the plural) A fancy cookie, pastry, or square, frequently homemade, served at a social event.
(obsolete) Excellent; valuable, fine.
(obsolete) Esteem, honour.
(obsolete) An affectionate term of address.

And let us not be dainty of leave taking, / But shift away.

Those dainty limbs which nature lent / For gentle usage and soft delicacy.

However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame. At the same time he cast off the chrysalis of a commonplace existence.

As for thoſe People of the Eaſt, (Goa, Calecute, Malaca,) they vvere a Fine, and Dainty People; Frugall, and yet Elegant, though not Militar.

Depending on context, synonyms include neat, petite, delicate, fastidious, exquisite, refined.

Related dictionary entries include kickshaw, mincing, delicacy, delicate, nice, tasteful.

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