German Conversation · Level 101
59 words
German word
vornehm
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯neːm/
Meaning
- adjectiveelegant
Example
Eine vornehme Frau betritt den Raum.
An elegant woman enters the room.
More examples
Sie trug ein vornehmes Kleid zur Gala.
She wore an elegant dress to the gala.
Core concept
A person enters in understated fine clothing and speaks with polished restraint, signaling a high social register.
Common phrases
in vornehmer Gesellschaft
in elegant company
ein vornehmes Kleid
an elegant dress
Similar words
elegant: Sophisticated in dress or conduct, conveying high quality and good taste.
schick: Neat and fashionable, with a stylish look suited to the setting.
fein: Finely made or presented, showing delicate refinement and care.
adlig: Having the bearing or background of a noble family.
Definition in German
Vornehm beschreibt eine Person, Kleidung oder Sprache, die dezent elegant und kultiviert wirkt und oft soziale Distanz andeutet.
Word origin
Middle High German vornæme already meant distinguished or noble, while modern vornehm extends that older status sense to style, speech, and manners.
Usage tips
- Vornehm is written lowercase as an adjective but uppercase when substantivized, as in die Vornehmen for the socially distinguished.
Other meanings
- nobleadjective
- formaladjective
Opposites
- alltäglichordinaryadjective
- derbcoarseadjective
Related words
- Vornehmheitelegancenoun