Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| élégant | /e.le.ɡɑ̃/ |
| stylé | /sti.le/ |
Both élégant and stylé are used to describe someone or something that possesses elegance, taste or refinement in their manners or dress. While élégant suggests a sense of sophistication and class, stylé is a more modern, colloquial term often used to mean 'cool' or 'trendy'.
Which one should you use?
élégant is a more formal and traditional term that implies sophistication, whereas stylé is a colloquial and modern term frequently used by younger people to mean 'cool'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Paris, the word chic is commonly used to mean 'stylish'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of what you are describing. For the word élégant, use élégante for a woman or a feminine noun, élégants for multiple men or a mixed-gender group. For the word stylé, use stylée for a woman or a feminine noun and stylés for multiple men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.le.ɡɑ̃/
When do people say it?
In French-speaking contexts, the term BCBG represents a stylish and polished appearance associated with an upper-class fashion sense.
Did you know?
- The word élégant shares its root with the Latin ēlegantem, which originally referred to the act of choosing or selecting with care.
- While élégant describes style, the French have a specific word sapé to describe someone who is dressed up in a flashy or meticulously coordinated way.
- The word chic is so ingrained in the concept of being stylish that it was borrowed directly into English, but in French, it can also describe a 'stylish' or 'kind' gesture.
Examples in context
- Tu es très élégant.You're very stylish.This sentence is useful for saying someone is very stylish using élégant.Tatoeba #2226786 by sacredceltic, translation #242486 by Zifre
- Ce n'est pas très élégant.This is not very stylish.This sentence is useful for saying something is not very stylish using élégant.Tatoeba #775718 by U2FS, translation #775717 by U2FS
- Tu es très élégante aujourd'hui.You're very stylish today.This sentence is useful for saying a woman is very stylish today using élégant.Tatoeba #12327839 by lbdx, translation #691422 by CK
- Elle porte une robe très élégante pour la soirée.She is wearing a very stylish dress for the evening.
- Il est toujours très élégant dans son costume noir.He always looks very stylish in his black suit.
- La décoration de cet hôtel est très raffinée.The decoration of this hotel is very stylish.
- Elle a un goût raffiné pour la mode.She has a refined taste in fashion.
- Ce jeune homme est toujours très branché.This young man is always very stylish.
- Elle porte des vêtements très branchés.She wears very stylish clothes.
- Cette jupe est vraiment stylée.This skirt is really stylish.
- Il a un look très stylé avec ses baskets et sa veste en cuir.He has a very stylish look with his sneakers and leather jacket.
- Elle est toujours très chic avec ses robes de créateur.She always looks very stylish with her designer dresses.
- Ils ont une décoration d'intérieur très chic dans leur appartement.They have a very stylish interior decoration in their apartment.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are getting ready for a gala.
- NathanCe costume est assez élégant, non ?This suit is quite stylish, isn't it?
- LéaOui, Nathan, tu es très chic.Yes, Nathan, you look very chic.
- NathanEt ta robe ? Elle est très élégante.And your dress? It is very stylish.
- LéaMerci, c'est gentil de ta part.Thank you, that is kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stylish” translations and entries élégant, stylé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries élégant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
