US /ˈdɹɛsi/ UK /ˈdrɛsi/
adj Freq #46317

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    stylish or formal enough for a special occasion

    She chose a dressy jacket for the evening reception.

  2. 2
    adj

    fond of wearing fashionable or elaborate clothes

    He has always been dressy, even at informal lunches.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · stylish or formal enough... smartelegantformal
2 adj · fond of wearing fashionable... fashion-consciousstylishdapper
Opposites
casualplainscruffy
Word family
Forms dressiest
Derived forms dressilydressinessoverdressysemidressy
Related forms dressdresseddress-up

Etymology

Formed in English from dress and -y in the nineteenth century. It first described clothing suitable for an elegant or formal occasion and was later also applied to people who take particular care over fashionable dress.

Topics

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