quaint

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'quaint' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is attractive or pleasing because of its unusual characteristics, or to describe something that is old-fashioned in a positive way. Example sentence: The store was full of quaint trinkets from around the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How quaint.

The New York Times

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

There is a lot of talk about the vicissitudes of life, and being equanimous in the face of adversity, all of which I find rather quaint.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Isn't it quaint how the Tories started to add the word "major" to their "world's fastest growing economy" line, when people pointed out that, say, China and India had grown faster?

The Guardian - Opinion

The latter is more popular with Argentinians than foreign visitors, but the quaint towns of Junín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura are good bases for camping, hiking, trout fishing, horse riding and quad biking.

The Guardian - Travel

In Italy, small boutique hotels are often on back streets, tucked into forgotten corners of quaint, quiet neighbourhoods.

The Guardian - Travel

Compared with Beyoncé's lightning strike release plan, two of 2013's other big pop albums – Katy Perry's Prism and Lady Gaga's ARTPOP – seem ridiculously quaint.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps when you own the world, the concept of nationalism seems rather quaint.

The Guardian - Opinion

We didn't have time to look for the novelist's villa in Anacapri, but we did have lunch - a buffet of tasty antipasti - at his favourite restaurant, Gemma, in Capri Town, which is reached by a quaint, crooked alley bored through the rock, and where his photograph is proudly displayed, pasted to the ceiling of the tiny lobby along with those of many other celebrities.

The Guardian - Travel

The term sounds quaint to 21st-century ears: the committee is so big that it has to meet in a cinema.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Isn't it quaint?" one of them says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quaint" when you want to describe something that is pleasingly old-fashioned or unusual, evoking a sense of nostalgia or charm. For example, "a quaint little village" suggests a charming, old village that is pleasing to visit or see.

Common error

While "quaint" is generally positive, overusing it, especially in professional or academic writing, can sound insincere or overly sentimental. Choose more precise adjectives when formality is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The word "quaint" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something attractively unusual or old-fashioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and widespread. The numerous examples showcase its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Travel

15%

Opinion

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quaint" is a commonly used adjective that describes something with old-fashioned charm or unusual attractiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, finding it prevalent in News & Media, Travel, and Opinion contexts. While it's generally neutral, overusing it in formal writing should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "charmingly old-fashioned" or "picturesque" to maintain variety and precision in your writing. Understanding its nuances allows for effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charmingly old-fashioned

Emphasizes the attractive, old-fashioned aspect of something, similar to "quaint".

picturesquely old

Highlights the visual appeal and age of something, akin to the scenic aspect of "quaint".

unusually appealing

Focuses on the attractiveness derived from something being out of the ordinary, a key element of "quaint".

endearingly peculiar

Highlights the charming and odd nature of something, similar to the unusual side of "quaint".

delightfully unconventional

Stresses the pleasing and non-traditional nature, aligning with the pleasingly unusual aspect of "quaint".

attractively antiquated

Underscores the old-fashioned and appealing nature of something, much like "quaint".

whimsically historic

Combines a sense of history with a playful or fanciful quality, resembling the charm of "quaint".

uniquely charming

Focuses on the specific attractiveness of something due to its uniqueness, similar to "quaint".

interestingly outdated

Highlights the interesting and old-fashioned nature, although it might not always be pleasing, unlike "quaint".

distinctively aged

Focuses on the distinctive qualities arising from age, similar to the old-fashioned aspect of "quaint".

FAQs

How can I use "quaint" in a sentence?

Use "quaint" to describe something that is pleasingly old-fashioned or unusual. For instance, "The village had a "quaint charm" that attracted tourists".

What's the difference between "quaint" and "old-fashioned"?

"Quaint" typically carries a positive connotation, suggesting charm and attractiveness in something old or unusual. "Old-fashioned", on the other hand, can be neutral or even negative, implying something is outdated or no longer useful. You might describe a tea room as "charmingly old-fashioned", but avoid calling modern technology quaint.

What are some synonyms for "quaint"?

Alternatives to "quaint" include "picturesque", "charming", "unusual", or "old-fashioned depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use the word "quaint"?

It's appropriate to use "quaint" when describing places, objects, or customs that have an old-fashioned charm or unusual quality that is pleasing. For example, describing a "quaint village" or a "quaint tradition".