Quaintly
adv.joyful, calmliterary
What it means
In an attractively old-fashioned or unusually charming manner.
Reach for it when describing how a place or object presents its period character
The cottage was quaintly furnished with hand-painted chairs.
Choose between these
6- playful
imaginative oddity creates delight
not when Whimsically can be futuristic and not quaint at all.
- everyday
rustically
simple rural styling is central
not when Rustically may feel rough rather than delicately unusual.
- warm
charmingly
appeal matters without specifying age
not when Charmingly can describe a completely contemporary style.
- formal
in an old-world way
historic atmosphere needs explicit wording
not when The phrase is too cumbersome when a lighter tone is wanted.
- formal
traditionally
established custom shapes the presentation
not when Traditional design may be grand or plain rather than quaint.
- literary
picturesquely
the visual arrangement resembles a pleasing scene
not when Picturesquely says little about old-fashioned character.
Said against
3- modernly
- plainly
- conventionally
It naturally appears in
3- quaintly decorated
The cafe was quaintly decorated with tin signs and lace curtains.
- quaintly narrow
The lane is quaintly narrow but still open to bicycles.
- quaintly arranged
Jars were quaintly arranged along the old pharmacy shelves.