fancy dress

American  

noun

1. a costume for a ball, masquerade, etc., chosen to please the fancy, usually a costume characteristic of a particular period or place, class of persons, or historical or fictitious character.

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fancy dress British  

noun

1. 1. costume worn at masquerades, etc, usually representing a particular role, historical figure, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fancy-dress ball

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Etymology

Origin of fancy dress

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

A masquerade without masks is merely fancy dress with an open bar.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Paul Smith, the Liverpool world title challenger who trained alongside Hatton, remembers one fancy dress party when Hatton dressed as 'Ginger Spice' Geri Halliwell.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2025

"The elites and the people in fancy dress get a lot of attention but I like to think we represent the club runners who were at the core of that very first marathon," he says.

From BBC • May 4, 2025

Lady Ashton attended the theater in the most absurd fancy dress imaginable.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• apparel
• regalia