ELEGANCE

Definition of ELEGANCE

ELEGANCE Noun

Gracefulness and Refinement: Elegance describes a quality of gracefulness and refinement in appearance or manner. For example, “The ballerina’s performance was the epitome of elegance,” indicates that the dancer exhibited a refined and graceful quality.

Sophisticated Beauty: Elegance can refer to a sophisticated and tasteful beauty in design or style. For instance, “The room was decorated with an elegance that reflected its owner’s refined taste,” means that the room’s design was aesthetically pleasing and stylish.

Simplicity and Tastefulness: In certain contexts, elegance denotes a form of simplicity and tastefulness, where beauty is achieved through minimalism and restraint. For example, “The minimalist design of the furniture exuded elegance,” suggests that the simple and restrained design was beautiful and sophisticated.

Cultural and Social Contexts: Elegance can also be used to describe behaviors or manners that are culturally or socially refined. For instance, “Her speech was delivered with great elegance and poise,” highlights the refined and cultured manner of her delivery.

Personal and Emotional Impact: Elegance may have a personal or emotional impact, evoking feelings of admiration or appreciation. For example, “The elegance of the wedding dress left everyone in awe,” indicates that the dress’s beauty and refinement impressed the onlookers.

Fashion and Design: In fashion and design, elegance refers to a style characterized by sophistication and grace. For instance, “The designer’s new collection was praised for its elegance and timeless appeal,” means that the collection was noted for its sophisticated and stylish features.

In conclusion, elegance is a noun that denotes the quality of being graceful, stylish, and sophisticated. It encompasses gracefulness, refined beauty, and tastefulness in appearance, design, or manner. Understanding elegance helps in recognizing its role in describing refined and aesthetically pleasing qualities in various contexts, from personal demeanor to fashion and design.

Examples of ELEGANCE in a sentence

  • The ballroom was filled with an air of elegance, from the chandeliers to the finely dressed guests.
  • Her elegance on the dance floor captivated everyone in the audience.
  • The architecture of the building combined modern simplicity with timeless elegance.
  • He admired the elegance of her handwriting, which flowed smoothly across the page.
  • The chef’s presentation of the dish reflected both creativity and elegance.
  • The elegance of his solution to the complex math problem impressed even the most seasoned mathematicians.
  • The fashion designer’s collection showcased the effortless elegance of minimalist design.
  • Her elegance in handling the difficult situation earned her the respect of her peers.

Origin of ELEGANCE

The word elegance has its origins in Latin, evolving through Old French before becoming part of Modern English. It refers to refined beauty or grace in appearance, manner, or style.

  • Latin:
    • Elegantia (elegance, refinement)
    • The Latin term elegantia is derived from elegans (elegant), which means “refined” or “graceful.” Elegans itself comes from eligere (to choose out), reflecting the idea of something chosen for its refined quality.
  • Old French:
    • Élégance (refinement, grace)
    • In Old French, élégance (from Latin elegantia) was used to describe refined beauty or grace, preserving the Latin sense of sophisticated or graceful qualities.
  • Middle English:
    • Elegance (refinement, grace)
    • By Middle English, elegance referred to refined beauty or grace in style or manner, reflecting its Old French and Latin origins.
  • Modern English:
    • Elegance (refined beauty or grace in appearance, manner, or style)
    • In Modern English, elegance denotes refined beauty or grace, maintaining its historical meaning from Latin and Old French.

The term elegance has retained its core meaning of refined beauty or grace from its Latin origin in elegantia, through Old French and Middle English, to its current use in English, where it describes sophisticated or graceful qualities.

Synonyms

  • Sophistication
  • Grace
  • Refinement
  • Class
  • Style
  • Poise
  • Dignity
  • Chic

Antonyms

  • Clumsiness
  • Crudeness
  • Inelegance
  • Vulgarity
  • Gaudiness
  • Awkwardness
  • Tastelessness
  • Shabbiness

Related

  • Tastefulness
  • Refinement
  • Elegance
  • Beauty
  • Distinction
  • Finesse
  • Gracefulness
  • Posh

🌐 🇬🇧 ELEGANCE in other languages

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