elegance

Pronunciation: /ˈɛl.ɪ.ɡəns/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste
  2. noun a quality of neatness and ingenious simplicity in the solution of a problem (especially in science or mathematics)

Etymology

From Middle French élégance, from Latin ēlegantia (“exquisiteness; refinement, elegance”).

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
quality
Narrower (hyponyms)
pomp, courtliness, chic, daintiness, class, magnificence
Opposite (antonyms)
inelegance

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