quaint

adjective

ˈkwānt How to pronounce quaint (audio)
Definition of quaintnext
1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion the sudden appearance of a man dressed in quaint clothes immediately drew the notice of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in antique
pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time a quaint general store on one of the back roads of Vermont

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quaint distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quaint are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, singular, strange, and unique. While all these words mean "departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected," quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

When is it sensible to use eccentric instead of quaint?

The words eccentric and quaint are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

Where would erratic be a reasonable alternative to quaint?

While the synonyms erratic and quaint are close in meaning, erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

When might odd be a better fit than quaint?

In some situations, the words odd and quaint are roughly equivalent. However, odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

When could outlandish be used to replace quaint?

The synonyms outlandish and quaint are sometimes interchangeable, but outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

In what contexts can peculiar take the place of quaint?

Although the words peculiar and quaint have much in common, peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's first lady

When would singular be a good substitute for quaint?

The words singular and quaint can be used in similar contexts, but singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

When is strange a more appropriate choice than quaint?

While in some cases nearly identical to quaint, strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

When can unique be used instead of quaint?

The meanings of unique and quaint largely overlap; however, unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of quaint But World Liberty makes renting hotel rooms look quaint by comparison. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 14 May 2025 Looking back, the idea that two newspapers sharing a printing press could violate antitrust laws is laughably quaint. —Megan Greenwell, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025 The notion that China and Russia are just competitors is quaint but wrong. —Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025 And the government’s portrayal of the situation was quaint, if not fanciful. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quaint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quaint
  1. bizarre
  2. antique
  3. strange
  4. vintage
  5. funny
  6. retro
  7. odd
  8. antiquated
Adjective
  • This bizarre tale about being picked up by bounty hunters, taken to an unmarked warehouse without access to food, water or an attorney were clearly fabricated.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Alicia Hannah-Kim is breaking her silence after a bizarre incident with Cobra Kai costar Martin Kove earlier this month resulted in him being removed from a fan event for biting her.
    — Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Just off the sand, antique shops and farm stands along the streets of Southampton give it a small-town feel.
    — AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
  • Consider looking for these pieces at a souvenir shop on your next beach vacation or at an antique store, which will give them a special meaning.
    — Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • Ali spends a good chunk of time confused by the strange words whirling around him.
    — Christopher J. Yates July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
  • But a strange silence has fallen over the drama since Iran attacked Israel via its Hamas proxy on Oct. 7 2023, kicking off Israel’s War in Gaza and, eventually, in Lebanon and Iran.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • My recommendations are Flash Disc Ranch for LPs, Soma for vintage sneakers, and RAGTAG for designer labels.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
  • Keke Palmer stepped out last month in Midtown Manhattan in mirrored gold stilettos with a vintage Versace mini, while Sabrina Carpenter made headlines in six-inch Christian Louboutins at a pre–Met Gala cocktail.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 July 2025
Definition of vintage
Adjective
  • Their loyalty and love for each other is rewarded just by being cooler and funnier than anyone else around.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
  • But a journalist and the comedian swapping professions for a day or two could be funny.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Not only was there visibility on some of the chicer kits like Palmeiras and Borussia Dortmund, which both boast a more retro collar style with a proficiency in color theory, there was a noted interest in DIY styling and upcycling of soccer jerseys.
    — Alyssa Hardy, Vogue, 11 July 2025
  • With gradient hues of pinks and purples, the set comes in retro colors to add a touch of vibrancy to your cabinets.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • The ever-changing face of modern gin has birthed many styles to pique the palate of the gin aficionado—or anyone partial to the odd G&T.
    — Camille Berry, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Depicted as short and animalistic in the comics, the tall, hunky Jackman seemed like an odd fit, but his interpretation of the retractable-clawed superhero is now definitive in mainstream popular culture.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • The Fed said the renovation will remove asbestos and lead contamination as well as replace antiquated electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire-safety systems.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 July 2025
  • In Missouri, an antiquated computer system and an insufficient number of employees available to handle benefit paperwork have been highlighted in recent years.
    — Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Definition of antiquated

Browse Nearby Words

quails
quaint
quais
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quaint. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on quaint

Nglish: Translation of quaint for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All