dressy

[ dres-ee ]

adjective

, dress·i·er, dress·i·est.

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

/ ˈdrɛsɪ /

adjective

1. (of clothes) elegant
2. (of persons) dressing stylishly
3. over-elegant

Derived Forms

• ˈdressily, adverb
• ˈdressiness, noun

Other Words From

• dressi·ly adverb
• dressi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dressy¹

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

Example Sentences

This lightweight jacket pairs perfectly with jeans and boots for that camping trip or throw it on with some dressier shoes and wear this jacket to a dinner party.

From The Daily Beast

Still later, she’d float warily at the edges of holiday photos, clearly hating her dressy clothes.

From Time

There’s nothing like the feeling of silk against your skin and—bonus—it looks dressy, too.

From The Daily Beast

Buy Maskc KN95 Masks at Maskc, $nullThis three-pack of masks from Rag & Bone has all your dressy mask needs covered.

From The Daily Beast

Buy Slip Pure Silk Adult Pleated Face Covering at Nordstrom, $nullWhen it comes to dressy masks, your face covering can either blend in with your outfit or become a statement all its own.

From The Daily Beast

She advises to avoid rompers, “dressy” shorts, and -- despite their recent comeback in the fashion world -- Uggs.

From The Daily Beast

In those 20 years, I went from very dressy to very un-dressy.

From The Daily Beast

The lady was a very dressy person and she laid her silver-mesh purse on the counter between herself and Jess.

From Project Gutenberg

A ball dress should be made of either very dressy silk, or light, thin material made over silk.

From Project Gutenberg

The Opera—Here you should wear full dress, an opera cloak, and either a head-dress, or dressy bonnet of some thin material.

From Project Gutenberg

They were good and answered the purpose but a new fangled broom made of broom straw seemed so dressy.

From Project Gutenberg

If you'll look closely at the workers about town you'll see the same suits—right dressy, you'll notice.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chic
• classy
• elegant
• stylish