Words / B2

EL-ig-uh-ns/ˈelɪɡəns/

Elegance is the quality of being graceful and stylish, or of a solution that is simple and neat (usually uncountable): simple elegance; mathematical elegance. Style is broader; grace is a close twin; elegant is the adjective. Mathematical elegance is still not a proof; show the working. Mix-up: elegance vs elephant; eloquence; do not write elegance for a fashion slogan with no named design or proof.

Meaning

The quality of being graceful and stylish, or of a solution that is simple and neat (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Mathematical elegance is still not a proof; show the working, the paper said.”
• “The façade’s elegance featured in the listing, which is the style sense — still name the period.”

Good to know

simple / classical elegance; mathematical elegance; elegant. Close: grace / style. Trap: elephant / eloquence. Maths, DT, and history. Graceful style, or neat simplicity — still show the working or name the period.

Near in meaning

grace, style, refinement

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