fancy dress

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.

fancy dress

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fancy-dress ball

Word History and Origins

Origin of fancy dress¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

There were fancy dresses made of silk and velvet and chiffon, men’s breeches and brocade vests, miles of taffeta and endless lengths of ribbon, and countless boxes of tiaras and leather slippers.

Read more on Literature

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

Read more on Literature

Winkleman, who put out the flames with another parent, took a short break from Strictly, and later campaigned for tougher fire safety laws on fancy dress costumes.

Read more on BBC

While many of us are still deciding what fancy dress to wear for Halloween, celebrities have wasted no time in posting pictures in their elaborate costumes - and the big night hasn't even arrived yet.

Read more on BBC

Police advised schools to be placed in lockdown after reports of a suspected gunman on the loose - only to find it was a boy in fancy dress with a toy gun.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• apparel 
• regalia