quaint
KWAYNT
/kweɪnt/
Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
Always carries a positive connotation of charm, though it can sometimes sound slightly patronizing if used by a city-dweller.
The story behind the word. Originally, 'quaint' meant 'clever' or 'cunning' (from the Latin 'cognitus', meaning 'known'). Over centuries, its meaning shifted from 'skillfully made' to 'elegant,' and finally to 'unusual in a charming, old-fashioned way.'
Word relationships
- charming: A broader term for something pleasant; 'quaint' specifically implies an old-fashioned quality.
- picturesque: Focuses more on the visual beauty than the 'old-fashioned' feel.
- modern: Relating to the present or recent times.
- ordinary: Lacking special or interesting features.
Commonly confused with
- queer: 'Queer' means strange or unusual, while 'quaint' means strange in a pleasing, old-fashioned way.
Word family
- quaintly (adverb): In a quaint manner.
- quaintness (noun): The quality of being quaint.
Collocations
- quaint cottage
- quaint village
- quaint custom
- quaint charm
Example sentences
- "It was a quaint old town, with narrow streets and timbered houses that looked like they were from a fairy tale." Describing a town.
- "The village still practices the quaint tradition of crowning a May Queen every spring." Describing a custom.
Memory hook
Think of getting 'acquainted' with something old and nice. Charming because it's old.
When not to use
Do not use for something that is just old and broken; it must be 'attractively' old.
Fun facts
- In the 14th century, 'quaint' could also mean 'proud' or 'fastidious.'
- It is one of the few words whose meaning has shifted from 'intelligent' to 'aesthetic.'
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.