Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
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dain·ty

dainty

 
 
pronunciation:
deIn ti
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective)
part of speech: adjective
inflections: daintier, daintiest
definition 1: small and delicate.
In her hand she held one dainty blossom.We drank small amounts of tea in my grandmother's dainty cups.Taking dainty steps, she entered the room without a sound.
synonyms:
delicate
antonyms:
gross
similar words:
beautiful, exquisite, lovely, pretty
definition 2: having delicate and refined manners or taste, esp. with respect to cleanliness or food.
She is always so dainty in the way she eats; I just shovel food into my mouth and spill things on my shirt.
synonyms:
fastidious, refined
antonyms:
undiscriminating
similar words:
discriminating
definition 3: excessively fussy or fastidious.
She is so dainty about everything in her house; you feel like you can't touch anything.
synonyms:
fastidious, fussy, particular, persnickety
similar words:
choosy, exacting, finical, finicky, fuddy-duddy, meticulous, painstaking, precious, scrupulous, selective, squeamish
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
inflections: dainties
definition: a delicious bit of food; delicacy.
I'd love to try some of those dainties.
synonyms:
delicacy, tidbit
similar words:
appetizer, hors d'oeuvre, morsel, treat
derivations: daintily (adv.), daintiness (n.)