Elegance
What it means
Graceful beauty or pleasing simplicity in form, expression, or method.
Reach for it when praising refinement that achieves its effect without clutter or strain
The proof's elegance came from one clear idea used with precision.
Words to choose between 8
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
clean lines
Fits when visual minimalism can be praised concretely
Careful The phrase is limited to appearance and says nothing about expressive or logical elegance.
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everyday
Fits when absence of needless complexity is the strength
Careful Simple work can be crude or incomplete rather than elegant.
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warm
Fits when ease, balance, or dignified movement is central
Careful Grace can describe conduct and kindness without visual or structural elegance.
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warm
Fits when a person's composed bearing creates the impression
Careful Poise applies poorly to a proof, tool, or building.
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professional
Fits when polish and cultivated detail deserve emphasis
Careful Refinement can feel socially exclusive and may lack elegant simplicity.
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professional
sophistication
Fits when advanced polish or complexity is admired
Careful Sophistication may be intricate, while elegance often removes complexity.
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formal
economy
Fits when achieving much with few means is the admired feature
Careful Economy can sound financial, and spareness alone need not be beautiful.
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literary
Fits when delicate skill in execution matters
Careful Finesse emphasizes technique and may exist without beautiful form.
Opposites 4
- clumsiness
- gaudiness
- awkwardness
- coarseness
Common phrases 4
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simple elegance
The room's simple elegance came from proportion rather than decoration.
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understated elegance
Understated elegance distinguished the hand-thrown tableware.
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mathematical elegance
The proof has mathematical elegance as well as practical value.
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move with elegance
The crane seemed to move with elegance despite its enormous load.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated