elegante

Elegante is a Romance-language adjective meaning refined, tasteful, and stylish. It is used in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese to describe people, clothing, architecture, and objects that convey grace, simplicity, and sophistication. The term frequently signals a sense of polish that is both understated and luxurious.

Etymology traces elegante to the Latin elegantus, meaning select or tasteful, and it entered the Romance languages via Old or Middle French and other intermediaries. The English word elegant shares the same root, and cognates appear in French (élégant), Italian (elegante), Spanish (elegante), and Portuguese (elegante).

Usage and forms: In Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese the form elegante is used for both genders, with agreement to number. Common phrases include Italian: una donna elegante, un uomo elegante; Spanish: una mujer elegante, un hombre elegante; Portuguese: uma mulher elegante, um homem elegante. Beyond describing people, elegante also characterizes fashion, interiors, design, and other goods, where it connotes a refined, high-quality aesthetic. The term is widely used in marketing to signal sophistication and timeless style.

Cultural context: Elegante appears in literature, media, and everyday speech as a versatile descriptor for beauty and chicness. In branding, it is often adopted as a product line name or model descriptor to evoke a premium, classic appeal, rather than a strict title or proper noun.

See also: elegance, éléganse, elegancia, elegância.