fancy dress

American  

noun

1. a costume for a ball, masquerade, etc., chosen to please the fancy, usually a costume characteristic of a particular period or place, class of persons, or historical or fictitious character.

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fancy dress British  

noun

1. 1. costume worn at masquerades, etc, usually representing a particular role, historical figure, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fancy-dress ball

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Etymology

Origin of fancy dress

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

A masquerade without masks is merely fancy dress with an open bar.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

In pictures taken at the time Trevor can be seen on stage with Barlow, including one documenting the pair in fancy dress on New Year's Eve.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

While many of us are still deciding what fancy dress to wear for Halloween, celebrities have wasted no time in posting pictures in their elaborate costumes - and the big night hasn't even arrived yet.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

She added parents faced "absolutely huge" financial pressures, and did not want to have "the only child that isn't going to prom, or hasn't got the fancy dress outfit, or the new football boots."

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

“She came to the last one, she said, and enjoyed it very much. I did not know you have fancy dress dances here, Frank.”

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• apparel
• regalia