dandy
[ dan-dee ]
/ ˈdæn di /
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noun, plural dan·dies.
a man who is excessively concerned about his clothes and appearance; a fop.
Informal. something or someone of exceptional or first-rate quality: Your reply was a dandy.
adjective, dan·di·er, dan·di·est.
characteristic of a dandy; foppish.
Informal. fine; excellent; first-rate: a dandy vacation spot.
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Origin of dandy
First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain
OTHER WORDS FROM dandy
dan·di·ly, dan·dy·ish·ly, dan·di·a·cal·ly [dan-dahy-uhk-lee], /dænˈdaɪ ək li/, adverbdan·dy·ish, dan·di·a·cal, adjectivedan·dy·ism, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dandy in a sentence
The uniform coats are red, with gilt buttons, the pants are a dark plaid; they look dandyish.
The Cathedral Towns and Intervening Places of England, Ireland and Scotland:|Thomas W. SillowayHe is a mustachioed, dandyish-looking fellow, and stared through his quizzing glass in a style quite amusing.
He was now in full afternoon costume, and, if not dandyish, was undeniably well dressed.
The Revolution in Tanner's Lane|Mark Rutherford
British Dictionary definitions for dandy (1 of 2)
dandy1
/ (ˈdændɪ) /
noun plural -dies
a man greatly concerned with smartness of dress; beau
a yawl or ketch
adjective -dier or -diest
informal very good or fine
Derived forms of dandy
dandily, adverbdandyish, adjectivedandyism, nounWord Origin for dandy
C18: perhaps short for jack-a-dandy
British Dictionary definitions for dandy (2 of 2)
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 Idioms and Phrases with dandy
dandy
see fine and dandy.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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