tastefulness

tastefulness — noun

1. the quality of showing good judgment about what is appropriate, attractive, or b

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality of showing good judgment about what is appropriate, attractive, or beautiful — used especially about the way a room is decorated, the clothes someone chooses, or the way someone behaves in a social situation.

Example

The living room was decorated with great tastefulness, using soft colours and simple wooden furniture.

collocation: great tastefulness

Amir admired the tastefulness of the museum's new exhibit, where every painting had enough space around it.

pattern: the tastefulness of [noun phrase]

Common collocations
  • great tastefulness
  • with tastefulness
  • the tastefulness of
  • show tastefulness
  • lack tastefulness
Synonyms
  • tasteful

    the adjective form — 'a tasteful room' not 'a tastefulness room'

  • elegant

    more about graceful refinement than social appropriateness

  • refined

    emphasises sophistication; slightly more formal than tasteful

Antonyms
  • tasteless

    the direct opposite — shows bad judgment in style or behaviour

  • gaudy

    too bright or decorated; lacks the restraint that tastefulness implies

Grammar Patterns

the + tastefulness + of + noun phrase

with + tastefulness

Usage Note

Tastefulness is an uncountable noun derived from the adjective 'tasteful'. It is not used with the articles 'a' or 'an' except in rare, idiomatic constructions, and never as a predicative adjective (*'the room is tastefulness'). Common patterns are 'with tastefulness' and 'the tastefulness of [something]'.

Common Mistakes

She is a very tastefulness person.
She is a very tasteful person.
'tastefulness' is a noun; use 'tasteful' as the adjective.

2. the quality of being generally pleasant, agreeable, or satisfying — used about t

2.nounC1
Definition

the quality of being generally pleasant, agreeable, or satisfying — used about the overall character, atmosphere, or effect of something rather than specific design choices.

Example

Anika enjoyed the tastefulness of the evening — the gentle music, the soft lighting, and the friendly conversation.

pattern: the tastefulness of [abstract/situation]

There was a quiet tastefulness about the old library that made visitors speak in hushed voices.

pattern: there + be + tastefulness + about [noun]

Common collocations
  • the tastefulness of
  • quiet tastefulness
  • with tastefulness
  • a sense of tastefulness
Synonyms
  • pleasantness

    more general; does not imply aesthetic judgment

  • agreeableness

    focuses on how something makes you feel rather than style

  • grace

    implies a natural, effortless quality

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the + tastefulness + of + noun phrase

there + be + tastefulness + about/in + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense is more abstract than sense 1 (REFINED STYLE). It describes the overall pleasant character of an experience, atmosphere, or piece of work rather than specific visual or behavioural choices. Like sense 1, it is an uncountable noun and is frequently used in the pattern 'the tastefulness of'.

Common Mistakes

The meal had tastefulness.
The meal was tasty.
'tastefulness' is not used for literal flavour; use 'tasty' or 'delicious' for food.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe something that shows good aesthetic judgment, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Tasteful' is the most direct synonym — while 'tastefulness' is a noun, 'tasteful' is the adjective form used to describe objects, clothes, or behaviour ('a tasteful painting'). 'Elegant' suggests graceful simplicity and smooth lines, often used for fashion or design ('an elegant black dress'). 'Refined' implies sophistication achieved through education or experience, and can describe people as well as things ('a refined sense of humour'). 'Classy' is more informal and suggests high social status or expensive style ('a classy restaurant'). For everyday use, 'tasteful' is the best replacement; for a more specific compliment about graceful simplicity, 'elegant' works better.

tasteful ↗elegant ↗refined ↗classy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a sense of tastefulness
  • with great tastefulness

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed from 'tasteful' (meaning 'having good taste') plus the noun suffix '-ness'. 'Taste' itself comes from Old French 'taster' (to touch, to taste), which in turn came from Latin 'taxare' (to evaluate, to touch sharply). The idea of 'good taste' as a social and aesthetic quality developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, giving rise to 'tasteful' and later 'tastefulness'.

First known use

1611

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2