Positive Connotations:
* Delicate and refined: Dainty can describe something delicate, graceful, and aesthetically pleasing. For example, "She wore a dainty floral dress."
* Small and charming: Dainty can also refer to something small and charming, like "a dainty teacup."
Negative Connotations:
* Weak or fragile: Dainty can sometimes imply weakness or fragility, suggesting something that is easily broken or damaged. For example, "He had a dainty build and seemed easily intimidated."
* Fussy or pretentious: Dainty can also carry a sense of fussiness or pretentiousness, especially when used to describe a person's behavior or mannerisms. For example, "She was so dainty, she wouldn't even touch the food with her hands."
Therefore, the connotation of "dainty" is not inherently negative. It can be positive, negative, or neutral, depending on the specific context and the speaker's intention.