Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

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

    whimsically

    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.

The word family

2