gainly

9.9

Being graceful and attractive in movement or appearance

adjective
/ˈɡeɪnli/

Archaic

: gracioso

Her gainly movements on the dance floor captivated the entire audience.

Examples

The dancer moved with a gainly grace that captivated the audience.
He walked with such a gainly stride that he drew everyone's admiration.
The statue depicted a gainly youth, embodying both strength and elegance.
She has a gainly figure that stands out in a crowd.
The dancer moved with a gainly grace that captivated the audience.
Her gainly silhouette stood out against the backdrop of the sunset.
The athlete's gainly movements demonstrated years of dedicated training.

Synonyms

graceful

vsgainly

87 2.8

Movement that is smooth and attractive like a dancer or swan

is similar but stresses overall appearance as well as movement

comely

vsgainly

Archaic

5 7.4

Pleasant to look at in a simple, natural way

is more about elegant movement and attractive form than plain wholesome looks

gracile

vsgainly

1 9.3

Thin and graceful in appearance, often about people or animals

is broader meaning elegant appearance not limited to slimness

Antonyms

awkward

33 3.0

Not graceful in movement or action

ungainly

4 7.3

Moving or looking awkward and clumsy

Compounds

gainly posture

Archaic

8.0

An attractive, graceful way of standing that looks confident

How Graceful

elegant

165 3.3

gainly

Archaic

9.9

awkward

33 3.0

Surface Forms

gainly positive

Etymology

Gainly comes from the common word gain, which once meant 'advantage' or 'good', and so grew to mean 'pleasing' or 'suitable'. So gainly describes someone or something that is 'graceful and attractive'.