Quaintly
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.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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playful
Fits when imaginative oddity creates delight
Careful Whimsically can be futuristic and not quaint at all.
-
everyday
rustically
Fits when simple rural styling is central
Careful Rustically may feel rough rather than delicately unusual.
-
warm
charmingly
Fits when appeal matters without specifying age
Careful Charmingly can describe a completely contemporary style.
-
formal
in an old-world way
Fits when historic atmosphere needs explicit wording
Careful The phrase is too cumbersome when a lighter tone is wanted.
-
formal
traditionally
Fits when established custom shapes the presentation
Careful Traditional design may be grand or plain rather than quaint.
-
literary
picturesquely
Fits when the visual arrangement resembles a pleasing scene
Careful Picturesquely says little about old-fashioned character.
Opposites 3
- modernly
- plainly
- conventionally
Common phrases 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.
Word family 2
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