dandy

[dan-dee]

noun

plural

dandies 

1. a man who is excessively concerned about his clothes and appearance; a fop.

2. Informal.,  something or someone of exceptional or first-rate quality.

   Your reply was a dandy.

adjective

dandier, dandiest 

1. characteristic of a dandy; foppish.

2. Informal.,  fine; excellent; first-rate.

   a dandy vacation spot.

dandy

¹

/ ˈdændɪ /

noun

1. a man greatly concerned with smartness of dress; beau

2. a yawl or ketch

adjective

1. informal,  very good or fine

dandy

²

/ ˈdændɪ /

noun

1. another name for dengue

Other Word Forms

• dandily adverb
• dandyishly adverb
• dandiacally adverb
• dandyish adjective
• dandiacal adjective
• dandyism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandy¹

First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandy¹

C18: perhaps short for jack-a-dandy

Idioms and Phrases

see fine and dandy.

Example Sentences

"I know you don't get much for £600 these days. But for me it was a life-saving amount of money. Life is now dandy."

From BBC

The Met Gala stepped outside the typical focus on couture womenswear to highlight men’s tailoring and the Black dandy as a historical figure.

From Los Angeles Times

The show explores the Black dandy, an evolving look in Black sartorial history; both retro and contemporary, that displays affection for menswear, excellent tailoring and a consistent fondness for tasteful flamboyance and whimsy.

From Salon

Ms Carter has worked with filmmaker Spike Lee and on the Black Panther movie franchise to create some modern pop cultural cues for the black dandy.

From BBC

But fans will say all of that is fine and dandy - what matters is what happens between the ropes.

From BBC

Related Words

• first-rate 
• marvelous 
• nifty 
• splendid 
• terrific