frippery
- finery in dress, especially when showy, gaudy, or the like.
- empty display; ostentation.
- gewgaws; trifles.
Origin of frippery
Related Words for frippery
toy, frill, ornament, trinket, ostentation, decoration, pretentiousness, adornment, knickknack, bauble, showiness, gaudiness, tawdriness, meretriciousness, fussiness, fanciness, fandangleExamples from the Web for frippery
Historical Examples of frippery
The frippery of the island was dropped like the withes which bound Samson.
The Cobbler In The Devil's KitchenMary Hartwell Catherwood
Frippery which would be discarded in England is often useful in India.
The Magnificent MontezHorace Wyndham
No, but like them I have learnt to rate all this frippery at its worth!
The Pillars of the House, Vol. II (of 2)Charlotte M. Yonge
She was at Coronado again, in the sunshine and frippery of her sitting room.
The MonsterEdgar Saltus
This frippery has not only the girl's personality but her very spirit in it.
A Counterfeit Presentment and The Parlour CarWilliam Dean Howells
frippery
- ornate or showy clothing or adornment
- showiness; ostentation
- unimportant considerations; trifles; trivia
Word Origin for frippery
Word Origin and History for frippery
1560s, "old clothes, cast-off garments," from Middle French friperie "old clothes, an old clothes shop," from Old French freperie, feuperie "old rags, rubbish" (13c.), from frepe, feupe "fringe; rags, old clothes," from Late Latin faluppa "chip, splinter, straw, fiber." The notion is of "things worn down, clothes rubbed to rags." The ironic meaning "finery" (but with overtones of tawdriness) dates from 1630s.