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Inelegant: meaning, definitions and examples

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inelegant

 

[ ɪˈnɛlɪɡənt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

not well-designed

Lacking in refinement or grace; not elegant; not tasteful. Inelegant solutions to complex problems often lead to inefficiency and confusion. Inelegant designs can be off-putting to potential customers.

Synonyms

awkward, clumsy, crude, ungraceful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inelegant

Describes something lacking grace or refined taste. Often used in discussing aesthetics, such as fashion or design.

  • The dress looked inelegant despite its high price tag.
  • His handwriting was inelegant but still legible.
clumsy

Describes someone who often makes mistakes or has accidents because they lack coordination. Usually refers to physical actions.

  • She is so clumsy she always spills her coffee.
  • His clumsy handling of the situation made things worse.
awkward

Refers to a situation, person, or thing that causes discomfort or embarrassment. Also describes someone who lacks skill and ease in movement or social situations.

  • There was an awkward silence when nobody knew how to respond.
  • He felt awkward at the party because he didn't know anyone.
ungraceful

Describes someone or something that lacks elegance and smoothness in movement. Similar to 'inelegant' but more focused on the lack of physical grace.

  • Her dance was ungraceful, but she was clearly trying hard.
  • The ungraceful bird struggled to take off.
crude

Has a negative connotation and describes something that is raw, unrefined, or lacking sophistication. Can also refer to behavior or language that is offensive or rude.

  • The crude oil needs to be refined before it can be used.
  • His crude jokes offended many people at the dinner.

Examples of usage

  • Her inelegant writing style made the report difficult to read.
  • The inelegant layout of the apartment made it feel cramped and cluttered.

Translations

Translations of the word "inelegant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inelegante

🇮🇳 अशिष्ट

🇩🇪 unelegant

🇮🇩 tidak elegan

🇺🇦 неграційний

🇵🇱 nieelegancki

🇯🇵 不格好な (ぶかっこうな)

🇫🇷 inélegant

🇪🇸 inelegante

🇹🇷 elegansız

🇰🇷 우아하지 않은

🇸🇦 غير أنيق

🇨🇿 nelegantní

🇸🇰 nelegantný

🇨🇳 不优雅的 (bù yōuyǎ de)

🇸🇮 neelektanten

🇮🇸 ósmekklegt

🇰🇿 сәнсіз

🇬🇪 უხარისხო

🇦🇿 zövqsüz

🇲🇽 inelegante

Etymology

The word 'inelegant' originated from the Latin word 'inelegans', which means 'not elegant'. It entered the English language in the late 17th century. Over time, 'inelegant' has been used to describe things that lack grace, refinement, or good taste. Its usage has evolved to encompass a wide range of contexts, from design and style to problem-solving and communication.

See also: elegantly, inelegantly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,688 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.