delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.
delicate craftsmanship
dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.
dainty sandwiches
Example Sentences
Noun the widow plied her suitor with dainties and endless glasses of sherry Adjective Her hair was decorated with dainty pink flowers. the girl's dainty little hands The dancers' dainty steps were followed by a series of leaps. She took a dainty sip of tea from her teacup. They served dainty sandwiches on silver trays. The food was served in dainty portions. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Masses of dainty yellow and white flowers cover this low growing ground cover in mid to late spring. Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Emma accessorized with a dainty, thin necklace, a few simple bracelets and rings, a retro pair of lavender aviator sunglasses, and red nail polish.Seventeen, 12 Aug. 2022 Complementing the vibrant look with minimal jewelry, Palmer wore one gold ring and dainty gold hoops. Melody Leibner, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 July 2022 This dainty Kendra Scott necklace that's $14 off has also adorned the necks of a slew of A-listers, including Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, and Lucy Hale. Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022 This dainty, minimalist chain bracelet from Mejuri is a staple that could last you a lifetime. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 27 July 2022 Keep her guessing with this dainty silver or gold bracelet that comes with a message (up to 9 characters) written in morse code. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2022 The actress kept things simple on the accessories front, sticking to gold hoops and layering three dainty necklaces. Jake Smith, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2022 Throughout the film, which runs just shy of 90 minutes, Fleischer Camp trains the camera on shots of dainty objects and fleeting moments—a drape fluttering in the wind, beams of sunlight hitting a spider web. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 June 2022
Adjective
Her black cat-eye sunglasses and layered dainty gold necklaces only elevated her look even more. Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 For a while, the flames had a meek, almost dainty quality; the vegetation was too damp to burn very fiercely.New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The latter two were last seen headed to Mexico, Rachel keeping her complexion fair under a dainty travel umbrella while on horseback. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Inside, a dainty mechanical tourbillon movement proves this beauty has brains. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2022 In the photos, Jolie looks classy in a black wrap dress that's tied around the waist and features billowing sleeves, paired with a matching leather shoulder bag by Yves Saint Laurent, large black sunglasses, and a dainty gold-and-diamond necklace. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2022 For proof that face tats can be dainty and adorable, look no further than the Manic singer. Carly Breit, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 Marie-Chantal created seven sweet designs for the collaboration, including a bear print, a dainty floral print, an embroidered buffalo print, and a rabbit print. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022 Given the dress certainly commanded attention, Sweeney and Dickson chose to accessorize the look minimally, with Jimmy Choo’s steel-toe pumps and elegant jewelry from De Beers including a dainty diamond necklace. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English deinte, dainte "state of honor, high esteem, delight, luxury, marvel, delicacy, choice morsel," borrowed from Anglo-French deinté, dainté "esteem, fine object or deed, choice morsel" (continental Old French deintié), going back to Latin dignitāt-, dignitās "suitability, excellence, standing, esteem" — more at dignity
Adjective
Middle English deinte "excellent, delightful, (of food or drink) fine, delicious," adjective derivative of deinte, dainte "high esteem, delight, luxury, delicacy, choice morsel" — more at dainty entry 1