elegantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elegantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something done in a graceful, stylish, or sophisticated manner. Example: "She elegantly navigated the complexities of the debate, impressing everyone with her poise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Booker-shortlisted The Lowland (Bloomsbury) by Jhumpa Lahiri is an elegantly written novel about two brothers growing up in a lowland suburb of south Calcutta in the 1950s and 60s; the younger becomes involved in the Naxalite movement and is killed by the police.

The Guardian - Books

Small, elegantly presented nibbles from an extensive menu include the local specialty, fried aubergines drizzled with honey, and tiny empanada pies.

The Guardian - Travel

Published guidelines are hard to come by, but it is generally understood that men must wear black tie with black shoes and women must be elegantly dressed with smart footwear.

The Guardian - Film

There are just five guest rooms, simply and elegantly furnished.

The Guardian - Travel

Against the variegated white shades of its paper background, the Codex's colours are elegantly restricted and make great use of inks and metallic pigments.

The Guardian - Arts

Three overs from Johnson though were sufficient for him to be replaced by Siddle, while at the other end, Stokes eased Harris elegantly through midwicket for the first boundary of the morning.

The Guardian - Sport

Eventually, we were all on our feet, dancing to the beats – not quite as elegantly as Bobo and co, perhaps, but just as enthusiastically.

The Guardian - Travel

Natalie Prass Natalie Prass Lushlyy orchestrated and elegantly arranged pop, steeped in Americana and soulful nostalgia.

The Guardian - Music

England's captain, Alastair Cook, made his first hundred in 21 innings, scoring an unbeaten 139 for Essex and marked the occasion with a Bebeto-style celebration Warwickshire v Sussex Ian Bell rises elegantly to the challenge of denying Sussex a victory.

The Guardian - Sport

It has one bedroom, plus a sofa bed and foldaway single bed (sleeping up to five in total) and is elegantly furnished – cool, white-tiled floors, smart leather sofas and walls covered with modern art.

The Guardian - Travel

They're elegantly done, with lots of extra interactivity for kids to explore.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elegantly" to describe actions or designs that are both beautiful and efficient. For example, "The problem was solved elegantly with a simple equation."

Common error

Avoid using "elegantly" in very casual conversations or informal writing where a simpler adverb like "nicely" or "well" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elegantly" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe how an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. It adds detail, emphasizing grace, style, or sophistication, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "elegantly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, emphasizing grace, style, or sophistication. When writing, consider using "elegantly" to enhance descriptions with a touch of refinement, but be mindful of avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives such as "gracefully" or "stylishly" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gracefully

Focuses more on the beauty and fluidity of movement or action.

stylishly

Emphasizes adherence to current trends and a sense of fashion.

with style

Highlights a distinctive and refined manner of doing something.

sophisticatedly

Suggests a high degree of refinement and complexity.

with finesse

Implies skillful handling of a situation or task.

in a refined manner

Highlights the presence of cultivation, tastefulness, and good breeding.

with grace and poise

Combines physical elegance with emotional balance and composure.

artfully

Focuses on creativity and skill in execution.

tastefully

Indicates a sense of what is appropriate, attractive, or enjoyable.

in a polished way

Emphasizes sophistication and the absence of crudeness or roughness.

FAQs

How can I use "elegantly" in a sentence?

You can use "elegantly" to describe something done in a graceful, stylish, or sophisticated manner. For example, "She "elegantly" navigated the complexities of the debate, impressing everyone with her poise."

What can I say instead of "elegantly"?

Alternatives include "gracefully", "stylishly", or "with style" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "elegantly" in formal writing?

Yes, "elegantly" is suitable for formal writing when you want to convey a sense of grace, sophistication, or refined style. Make sure the context aligns with the meaning.

What's the difference between "elegantly" and "gracefully"?

"Elegantly" emphasizes style and sophistication, while "gracefully" focuses more on the beauty and fluidity of movement or action. Choose the word that best fits the aspect you want to highlight.