1
a
: pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar
a quaint phrase
b
: unusual or different in character or appearance : odd
2
a
: marked by skillful design
quaint with many a device in India ink—
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
b
: marked by beauty or elegance
quaintly
adverb
quaintness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of quaint in a Sentence
A lot can change in 25 years, and Yountville has gone from an also-ran on the Napa food-and-wine tourism scene to the focus of activity. The quaint bed and breakfasts of yesterday have been replaced by upscale hotels and inns, and the village has become a mecca for top chefs.
—Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, 15 June 2008
Therefore, when the federal Constitutional Convention decided in 1787 that U.S. senators would be appointed by state legislatures rather than elected by the people at large, the drafters were actually placing the choice of U.S. senators in the control of state leaders who had met their states' highest qualifications for property and religion. Today, these property and religious qualifications are likely to strike us as quaint historical oddities.
—Richard N. Rosenfeld, Harper's, May 2004
Five minutes by ferry from the bustling concrete depths of Wall Street sits what could be a quaint New England town: stately, collegiate buildings framed by tree-lined walkways where the wind rustles through aging oak trees.
—Andrea Elliott, New York Times, 25 July 2003
The fishing village was very quaint.
The writer talks about the quaint customs of the natives.
Tim Fish, Wine Spectator, 15 June 2008
Therefore, when the federal Constitutional Convention decided in 1787 that U.S. senators would be appointed by state legislatures rather than elected by the people at large, the drafters were actually placing the choice of U.S. senators in the control of state leaders who had met their states' highest qualifications for property and religion. Today, these property and religious qualifications are likely to strike us as quaint historical oddities.
—Richard N. Rosenfeld, Harper's, May 2004
Five minutes by ferry from the bustling concrete depths of Wall Street sits what could be a quaint New England town: stately, collegiate buildings framed by tree-lined walkways where the wind rustles through aging oak trees.
—Andrea Elliott, New York Times, 25 July 2003
The fishing village was very quaint.
The writer talks about the quaint customs of the natives.
Recent Examples on the Web
The vibe: Origami Ramen is quaint — there are about 10 tables and one roaming waiter, though guests are encouraged to order via the tablet at their table.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
There are parallels between the 1960 election and today
Question: The book reads like a thriller, but some of the various things going on in 1960 seem almost quaint today.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024
John Tanton grew up as an all-American farm boy in an almost mythologically quaint version of America.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
The area is home to auto plants, former industrial sites, quaint downtown corridors and strip malls.
—Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quaint 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Boehm, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
There are parallels between the 1960 election and today
Question: The book reads like a thriller, but some of the various things going on in 1960 seem almost quaint today.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024
John Tanton grew up as an all-American farm boy in an almost mythologically quaint version of America.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
The area is home to auto plants, former industrial sites, quaint downtown corridors and strip malls.
—Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quaint
Dictionary Entries Near quaint
Cite this Entry
“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaint. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quaint
adjective
: unusual or different in quality or appearance
especially
: pleasingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar
a quaint fishing village
quaintly
adverb
quaintness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share