dapper

[dap-er]

adjective

1. neat; trim; smart.

   He looked very dapper in his new suit.

   Synonyms: natty, jaunty, modish, spruce

2. lively and brisk.

   to walk with a dapper step.

3. small and active.

dapper

/ ˈdæpə /

adjective

1. neat and spruce in dress and bearing; trim

2. small and nimble

Other Word Forms

• dapperly adverb
• dapperness noun
• undapper adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dapper¹

1400–50; late Middle English daper < Middle Dutch dapper nimble, stalwart; cognate with German tapfer brave

Word History and Origins

Origin of dapper¹

C15: from Middle Dutch: active, nimble

Example Sentences

The dapper youth in a hat was photographed outside the museum that Sunday and went viral on social media, prompting theories about his identity.

Read more on BBC

Times writer described Brown, always dapper and cool, as a piece of living art.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There was a celebrated Royal opening in 2004 where I remember one hard-nosed journalist marvelling at what had been achieved by this "dapper wee man in a kilt".

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It’s a fantasy forest sprung to life, complete with a centerpiece tree and felt and ceramic sculptures of dapperly dressed felines and canines.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were medium-handsome, in their 70s, and dressed dapperly in khaki slacks and navy sport coats bearing name tags that identified them as Bill and Frank.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• classy 
• dashing 
• rakish 
• spry 
• stylish