Daintily Meaning and Definition
Daintily
Pronunciation
/ˈdeɪntli/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A type of elegant and refined behavior, manner or way of doing something, characterized by delicacy, subtlety, and subtleness.
Examples
- She talked to him in a daintily whisper to avoid disturbing the other guests.
- The chef prepared the dish with daintily precision and presentation.
- The artist painted the portrait with daintily strokes and colors.
- The dancer performed the routine with daintily poise and grace.
- The writer crafted the sentence with daintily clarity and concision.
Synonyms
- Elegantly
- Refinedly
- Refined
Antonyms
- Coarsely
- Roughly
- Crassly
Additional Information
Daintily refers to a specific and deliberate way of doing something, involving subtlety, precision, and refinement. It is often used to describe artistic, creative, or precise actions. Daintily can also be used to describe a person’s behavior, expressing their elegance, poise, and refinement. In general, it implies a high level of skill, attention to detail, and sensitivity.
In contrast to its literal meaning, daintily can also be used to describe a behavior that is characterized by subtlety, delicacy, and subtleness, often in a humorous or satirical way. For example, describing someone who is being overly cautious or hesitant in their actions as being “daintily” cautious or hesitant.
Etymology
The word “daintily” originates from the Old French word “daint” meaning “dainty” or “delicate”, and the suffix “-ly” which forms an adverb. The word has been in use in the English language since the 15th century.
Usage Notes
When using daintily, it is essential to be mindful of context and tone. The word can be used in formal or informal settings, depending on the intended meaning and audience. It is essential to consider the speaker’s intent, audience’s understanding, and the potential impact of the word on the listeners.
Cultural References
Daintily has been used in various cultural references, including literature, art, and music. For example, the word has been used in the title of a book by the American author, Françoise Sagan, where the main character is described as having a “daintily” manner.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word daintily are:
- “To do something daintily”
- “To talk daintily”
- “To walk daintily”
Related Words or Phrases
Some related words or phrases that are closely related to daintily in meaning or usage are:
- Delicately
- Subtly
- Refinedly
- Elegantly
Collocations
Some common collocations with the word daintily are:
- “Doing something daintily”
- “Talking daintily”
- “Walking daintily”
- “Eating daintily”
Frequency of Use
According to the Oxford English Corpus, daintily is used relatively infrequently in modern language, with an average frequency of approximately 1.5 occurrences per million words.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of daintily include:
- Dauntily
- Daintlyy
- Daintee