eleganti

Eleganti is the plural form of the Italian adjective elegante, meaning "elegant." It describes people, objects, or styles that show refined taste. Grammatically, it can be used attributively as in un uomo elegante or le persone eleganti, or predicatively as in quelle persone sono eleganti. As a noun, l'elegante or gli eleganti can refer to a stylish person or, more broadly, to a group of fashionable people.

Etymology and development: elegante derives from Latin elegans, elegantis, likely through Old French élégant, and entered Italian during the Renaissance. Since then, the word has become a common descriptor in literature, media, and everyday speech.

Usage and cultural context: eleganti covers fashion, design, architecture, and demeanor, signaling refined taste and poise. The term is generally neutral, but in some contexts it can carry ironical or critical overtones, especially when used to stereotype a social class or to contrast appearances with other values. In modern Italian, close synonyms include raffinato, chic, and di buon gusto, while opposites include opaco, informale, and trasandato.

Variants and related terms: while primarily an adjective, eleganti is frequently encountered in everyday language as a plural noun referring to fashionable people or a social elite. The related noun eleganza expresses the broader concept of elegance, encompassing grace, style, and quality in behavior and form.