dressy
Americanadjective
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appropriate to somewhat formal occasions.
an outfit that's a little too dressy for office wear.
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showy in dress; stylish.
a rather dressy reception.
adjective
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(of clothes) elegant
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(of persons) dressing stylishly
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over-elegant
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dressy
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.
Vocabulary lists containing dressy
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.
Heading back toward Olympic, I enter David Apparel on 1019 Santee St. The menswear collection here is sporty with Gucci-esque matching outfits and dressy shirts emblazoned with lions.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
I could sense the urgency of a group of women behind me and stepped aside to let them pass; one remarked under her breath that my baseball cap wasn’t dressy enough for the occasion.
From Slate • Nov. 21, 2023
The collection, which included looks for men and women, featured slouchy trousers and dressy jackets, lightweight overcoats and cotton trousers with elastic waists.
From Reuters • Jun. 23, 2023
On the more dressy end, roomy Bermuda’s shorts in cream paired with a camel jacket and ochre zipper back, with the cutout bucket hat.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2022
Too dressy to have its first outing at home.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
