What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elegant
Example
She looked elegant in her black dress. [elegant: adjective]
Example
The hotel lobby had an elegant decor with chandeliers and marble floors. [elegant: adjective]
Example
He spoke with an elegant accent and impeccable manners. [elegant: adjective]
refined
Example
She had refined taste in art and music. [refined: adjective]
Example
The sugar was refined to remove the molasses and impurities. [refined: verb]
Example
His refined technique on the piano impressed the audience. [refined: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Elegant is more commonly used than refined in everyday language. Elegant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while refined is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elegant and refined?
Both elegant and refined are associated with a formal and sophisticated tone, but refined can also have a negative connotation of being overly polished or snobbish.
