elegante
/e.leˈɡan.te/
The English word "elegant" translates to Italian as elegante.
elegante is used to describe someone or something that exhibits elegance.
Meaning: exhibiting elegance (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
elegante is the masculine and feminine singular form. To describe multiple people or things, use the plural form eleganti, which is used for both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /e.leˈɡan.te/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- While elegante describes style, Italians often use the word sprezzatura to describe a specific kind of effortless elegance that hides the hard work put into an appearance.
- The word elegante derives from the Latin ēlegantem, which originally meant 'carefully chosen' or 'picked out'.
- In Italian, the word elegante can be used ironically to describe something that is over-the-top or ridiculously formal.
Examples in context
- È elegante e raffinata.She's elegant and refined.This sentence illustrates the use of elegante to describe a person.Tatoeba #2672134 by Guybrush88, translation #2568351 by Hybrid
- Tom è un uomo elegante.Tom is an elegant man.This sentence shows how to use elegante when referring to a man.Tatoeba #7727943 by Guybrush88, translation #7714820 by Hybrid
- C'è una soluzione elegante.There is an elegant solution.This sentence demonstrates using elegante to describe a solution.Tatoeba #3126189 by Guybrush88, translation #3126184 by AlanF_US
- Lei è davvero eleganteShe is truly elegant
- Sei davvero raffinatoYou are really refined
- È un ristorante molto di classeIt is a very classy restaurant
- Quello è un abito veramente sofisticatoThat is a truly sophisticated dress
- Sei davvero elegante stasera!You look really elegant tonight!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are at a formal wedding reception.
- GiuliaIl tuo abito è molto elegante, Lorenzo.Your suit is very elegant, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoGrazie, anche il tuo vestito è elegante.Thank you, your dress is elegant too.
- GiuliaGrazie mille, sei molto gentile.Thank you so much, you are very kind.
- LorenzoSembri una vera principessa stasera.You look like a true princess tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elegant” translations and entries elegante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elegante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
