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Synonyms

dressy

American  
[dres-ee] / ˈdrɛs i /

adjective

dressier, dressiest

  1. appropriate to somewhat formal occasions.

    an outfit that's a little too dressy for office wear.

  2. showy in dress; stylish.

    a rather dressy reception.
dressy British  
/ ˈdrɛsɪ /

adjective

  1. (of clothes) elegant

  2. (of persons) dressing stylishly

  3. over-elegant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of dressy

First recorded in 1760–70; dress + -y 1

Explanation

Something that's dressy is characterized by elegant, expensive, or fancy clothes. You look dressy when you wear a ball gown, high heels, and a tiara on your head. A person can be dressy, and you can also describe the person's outfit as dressy — if it's a tuxedo with a bow tie and cummerbund — or an event as dressy, if it requires you to wear such an outfit. A dressy wedding calls for formal clothing, so you probably shouldn't wear a fisherman's sweater and sandals. Dressy was first used in the 18th century, from dress.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dressy clothing and luggage are popular again as people have resumed traveling and socializing.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2021

The Dressy versions have changeable outfits and hats to mix and match.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2021

Cry Babies Dressy Doll: These new dolls cry real tears and make baby sounds — with a pacifier that magically helps them stop crying.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2021

Dressy couples held up cocktails and clustered under the bar’s roof.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2016

Dressy little bonnets or small hats, gloves, either matching the gown or light in tint, complete the theater toilet.

From Social Life or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society by Cooke, Maud C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.