elegant, vibrant, innovative, charming, unique: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 41. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. elegant · adjective/ˈɛləɡənt/

   refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

   In the cocktail party, the actress Sophia Loren was wearing an elegant dress with eye-catching necklace and a stylish hat.

   Synonyms: chic, exquisite, fashionable

   Origin: late 15th century: from French, or from Latin elegans, elegant-, related to eligere ‘choose, select’ (see elect)

2. vibrant · adjective/ˈvaɪbrənt/

   bright, energetic, and full of life

   The use of vibrant colors in his designs clearly reflects his interest and love for African cultures.

   Synonyms: vivid, colorful

   Origin: early 17th century (in the sense ‘moving rapidly, vibrating’): from Latin vibrant- ‘shaking to and fro’, from the verb vibrare (see vibrate)

3. innovative · adjective/ˈɪnəˌveɪdɪv/

   introducing new ideas, methods, or designs

   In 1925, Chanel introduced the now legendary Chanel suit with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt, which were very innovative at the time.

   Synonyms: creative, original, groundbreaking

4. charming · adjective/ˈtʃɑrmɪŋ/

   pleasant and attractive in a way that makes people like it

   Audrey Hepburn looked charming whenever she arrived in an award show red carpet wearing timeless designs and her trademark elbow-length gloves.

   Synonyms: alluring, attractive, appealing

5. unique · adjective/ˌjuˈnik/

   very special because it's the only one of its kind

   What makes Marc Jacobs perfumes unique is that there are almost a hundred scents available to you in one fragrance.

   Synonyms: exceptional,rare

   Origin: early 17th century: from French, from Latin unicus, from unus ‘one’