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Definition of daintily

daintily

/ˈdeɪn.tɪ.li/
dain · ti · ly

Adjective:dainty
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daintily Lexical Profile

daintily Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a delicate, graceful, and refined manner.

Example

"The cat stepped daintily across the wet pavement to avoid the puddles."


2

In a fastidious, overly particular, or mincing manner, especially regarding food or cleanliness.

Example

"She picked daintily at the unfamiliar dish, taking only tiny bites."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'dainty' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The root 'dainty' stems from Old French 'deintie' (a choice morsel, pleasure, or worth), ultimately derived from Latin 'dignitas' (worthiness or dignity).

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Daintily. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/daintily
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