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.

---

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

---

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

James lost his life after going to watch cricket in fancy dress, when England played a Test match at Trent Bridge in July 2011.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

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.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

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.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

The news soon spread about the fancy dress ball.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• apparel
• regalia