Svelteness
/ˈsvɛlt.nəs/noun
The quality of being slender, graceful, or slim.
Did you know?Svelte entered English through French from a Germanic root meaning “to be supple or slender,” and its modern vibe of effortless elegance is a relatively recent makeover.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*swelt-
“to be thin, supple, or slender”
Old French
OF
esvelte
“slender, well-proportioned”
16th Century
French
svelte
“slender, graceful”
19th Century
English
svelte
“slim, elegant, refined”
Modern English
English
svelteness
“the quality of being svelte or slender”