elegant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elegant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is graceful, stylish, or sophisticated in appearance or manner. Example: "The design of the building is elegant, showcasing a perfect blend of modern architecture and classic elements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kennedyesque is still the style, the demeanour, candidates for high office aspire to: slim, energetic, accompanied by a supremely elegant spouse.

The Guardian

Easyjet (easyjet.com) flies from Luton and Gatwick to Istanbul 4. MARRAKECH There is something hugely romantic about disappearing through an unmarked door in the medina into a coolly elegant hotel or ornately tiled cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

"Sofas in the players' lounge, office furniture, the lot," says Archibald, who was used in his playing career to the elegant surrounds of the Nou Camp.

The Guardian - Sport

Having followed the river from the bottom of the Gemmi, I reached the hotel's elegant foyer by late afternoon, red-cheeked and moist.

The Guardian - Travel

First, an elegant en pointe sashay through a bemused defence was crowned with a composed, artful finish – "what a good goal", said the commentator – and then a beautifully placed left-foot blast was deposited into the far corner from outside the box - "what a good goal", said the commentator.

The Guardian - Sport

But this quaint resort is beginning to brighten up, with the grand Hôtel de la Plage now transformed into La Fabrique, a funky lounge bar and restaurant whose DJ gets guests dancing on the waterside terrace, while a year ago, the elegant Marie Collet, turned the top floor of her imposing house into a two-room B&B.

The Guardian - Travel

Our objective has been to produce the most accessible, elegant interpretation of the Guardian newspaper for iPad and we hope we're close to achieving that aim.

The Guardian

Allan Massie in the Scotsman was very keen: "The pleasures of this elegant novel are many.

The Guardian - Books

Our new site offers a consistent, elegant, simple experience that better empowers our readers to discover and enjoy our award-winning journalism regardless of the device they use".

The Guardian

Once you've mastered the basics, you can play around with the recipe to your heart's content (and it ought to be content: many versions are very low in fat) – but the guiding principle should always be to cram as many contrasts of flavour and texture into each bite as possible, while retaining the roll's elegant appearance (ie don't get too Man v Food about it).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With simple and elegant layouts that improve the reading experience, and a new colour palette to guide people to specific sections, stories and writers, the site offers more ways to discover and engage with the Guardian's award-winning journalism, more often.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing appearance, ensure that "elegant" accurately reflects a sense of refined beauty or sophistication, rather than mere attractiveness or trendiness.

Common error

Avoid using "elegant" to describe everyday objects or situations that lack a sense of sophistication. Using "elegant" to describe something like an "elegant" sandwich might sound awkward or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "elegant" primarily functions to describe a noun, imbuing it with qualities of refined grace, simplicity, and sophistication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to enhance the perception of a subject by highlighting its aesthetic appeal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Travel

22%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Arts

6%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elegant" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that possesses refined grace and stylish simplicity. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian show its prevalence in news, travel, and lifestyle content. While "elegant" is generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings. For alternatives, consider "graceful", "stylish", or "refined" to best capture the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graceful

Focuses on the beauty of movement and form.

stylish

Emphasizes adherence to current fashion trends and aesthetic appeal.

refined

Highlights sophistication and good taste in manner or appearance.

classy

Implies high quality and sophistication, often associated with luxury.

sophisticated

Suggests complexity, intelligence, and worldliness in design or demeanor.

exquisite

Emphasizes delicate beauty and intricate craftsmanship.

chic

Highlights fashionable and trendy appeal.

tasteful

Emphasizes good judgment and aesthetic sensibility.

polished

Suggests perfection and attention to detail.

sumptuous

Implies luxury, richness, and abundance in visual appeal.

FAQs

How can I use "elegant" in a sentence?

You can use "elegant" to describe something that possesses refined grace or stylish simplicity. For example, "The dancer's movements were incredibly elegant" or "The building's design is both functional and elegant."

What are some alternatives to the word "elegant"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "elegant" include "graceful", "stylish", "refined", "classy", or "sophisticated".

Which is correct, "elegant design" or "elegantly design"?

"Elegant design" is correct because "elegant" is an adjective describing the noun "design". "Elegantly design" would be incorrect as it uses an adverb to modify a noun.

What's the difference between "elegant" and "luxurious"?

"Elegant" implies refined grace and simplicity, while "luxurious" suggests richness and opulence. Something can be both, but "elegant" focuses more on the aesthetic and "luxurious" on the experience.