quaint

adjective

\ ˈkwānt

Definition of quaint

1a : pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar a quaint phrase

b : unusual or different in character or appearance : odd

2a : marked by skillful design quaint with many a device in India ink— Herman Melville

b : marked by beauty or elegance

3 obsolete : expert, skilled

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Choose the Right Synonym for quaint

strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic, odd, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable. a journey filled with strange sights singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness. a singular feeling of impending disaster unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. a career unique in the annals of science peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness. the peculiar status of America's first lady eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior. the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating. a friend's suddenly erratic behavior odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected. an odd sense of humor quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness. a quaint fishing village outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric. outlandish fashions of the time

Examples of quaint in a Sentence

A lot can change in 25 years, and Yountville has gone from an also-ran on the Napa food-and-wine tourism scene to the focus of activity. The quaint bed and breakfasts of yesterday have been replaced by upscale hotels and inns, and the village has become a mecca for top chefs. — Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, 15 June 2008 Therefore, when the federal Constitutional Convention decided in 1787 that U.S. senators would be appointed by state legislatures rather than elected by the people at large, the drafters were actually placing the choice of U.S. senators in the control of state leaders who had met their states' highest qualifications for property and religion. Today, these property and religious qualifications are likely to strike us as quaint historical oddities. — Richard N. Rosenfeld, Harper's, May 2004

Recent Examples on the Web

From the late 1800s to the 1960s, Centralia was a quaint but bustling town in Pennsylvania, thanks to its prosperous coal mines. — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, "Creepy Catacombs, Islands of Dolls, and 18 Other Terrifying Places for Thrill Seekers," 4 Sep. 2019 Bring a chair to sit under the trees in the quaint country setting of Arbor Park on Main Street. — courant.com, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quaint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for quaint

quaint

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of quaint

: having an old-fashioned or unusual quality or appearance that is usually attractive or appealing

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quaint

Definition of quaint

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Choose the Right Synonym for quaint

Examples of quaint in a Sentence

First Known Use of quaint

History and Etymology for quaint

English Language Learners Definition of quaint

quaint

Definition of quaint

Other Words from quaint

Synonyms for quaint

Choose the Right Synonym for quaint

Examples of quaint in a Sentence

First Known Use of quaint

History and Etymology for quaint

English Language Learners Definition of quaint

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