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daintydelicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: delicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdeɪnti/

Example Sentences

  • The cat took dainty sips from the milk bowl, as if it were dining at a five-star restaurant.
  • Her dainty handwriting looked like fairy calligraphy on the wedding invitation.
  • He claimed he wasn't hungry, but the dainty way he nibbled the cookie said otherwise.

dainty

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈdeɪnti/]

delicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling

The muscular lumberjack carefully held the dainty teacup with two huge fingers.
💡 Concept

The muscular lumberjack carefully held the dainty teacup with two huge fingers.

DANE(Great Dane) + TY(tiny) — the giant Dane took a tiny, dainty step over the flower.
🧠 Mnemonic

DANE(Great Dane) + TY(tiny) — the giant Dane took a tiny, dainty step over the flower.

With just one drop of paint, she drew a dainty little bird.
🎵 Rhyme

With just one drop of paint, she drew a dainty little bird.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdeɪnti/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈdeɪnti/

🌳Etymology

Rootdaint
Suffix--y

Origin

From Middle English deynte, derived from Old French dainté meaning 'worth, value, dignity.' The word ultimately traces back to Latin dignitas (dignity, worth), which comes from dignus (worthy).

Breakdown

Latin dignus (worthy) + -ité (French suffix forming nouns of quality) > Old French dainté > Middle English deynte > Modern English dainty

🎵Rhyme

aintsaintpaintfaint
aint
saint
paint
faint

🔗Collocations

dainty flowers
dainty steps
dainty appetite
dainty teacup
dainty fingers

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The cat took dainty sips from the milk bowl, as if it were dining at a five-star restaurant.

Her dainty handwriting looked like fairy calligraphy on the wedding invitation.

😄 Fun example

He claimed he wasn't hungry, but the dainty way he nibbled the cookie said otherwise.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

delicateelegantrefinedgracefulpetite

Antonyms

coarseroughclumsy

Related

femininefragilepreciousornate

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