svelte
slender
Definition & meaning
The adjective svelte is used to describe someone who has a slender, graceful, and elegant figure. It typically implies a healthy, toned, or lithe body shape.
In a broader or more figurative sense, it can sometimes describe something that is slim, streamlined, or devoid of unnecessary bulk (for example, a piece of technology or a design).
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- It is an adjective that remains the same in the masculine and feminine forms because it ends in an 'e'.
- To make it plural, you add an 's' (**svelte**s).
Word origin: The word was borrowed into French from the Italian word svelto, which is the past participle of svellere, meaning "to extract" or "to pluck out." The metaphorical evolution suggests someone whose excess "weight" or "bulk" has been pulled away, leaving a slim frame.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Examples
Elle est svelte.adjective
She is slender.
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