gussy up
Britishverb
Etymology
Origin of gussy up
C20: probably from the name Gussie, diminutive of Augusta
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But “Is God Is” refuses to gussy up its allegories with too many special effects or gratuitous gore.
From Salon ● May 19, 2026
Dolly Parton is starting an apparel brand for dogs that will let pet owners gussy up their pups just like the legendary country music singer.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 1, 2022
Phil Spector gets production credit after the Beatles rejected the Johns cut, a glorious mess that reflected the sessions, and handed it to the Wall of Sound creator to gussy up with strings and delay.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 3, 2021
The trouble arrives when he tries to gussy up his psychologist’s hat with his more elaborate public intellectual’s attire.
From New York Times ● Sep. 29, 2021
“Let’s try it! We’ll just take Miss St. James’s hairbrush and a perfume bottle or two—something to gussy up Theo’s room and make it look as though a young lady lives there.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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