dressy

dressy
dressy (adj.) 1760s, from DRESS (Cf. dress) (v.) + -Y (Cf. -y) (2).
"For as her natural face decays, her skill improves in making the artificial one. Well, nothing diverts me more than one of those fine, old, dressy things, who thinks to conceal her age by everywhere exposing her person; sticking herself up in the front of a side-box; trailing through a minuet at Almack's; and then, in the public gardens looking, for all the world, like one of the painted ruins of the place." [Goldsmith, "The Good Natured Man," 1768].

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Dressy — Dress y, a. Showy in dress; attentive to dress. [1913 Webster] A dressy flaunting maidservant. T. Hook. [1913 Webster] A neat, dressy gentleman in black. W. Irving. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dressy — dressy; semi·dressy; …   English syllables

  • dressy — [adj] formal, fashionable chic, classy, dressed to kill*, dressed to the nines*, dressed up*, elaborate, elegant, fancy, in high feather*, looking sharp, ornate, ritzy, smart, stylish; concepts 579,589 Ant. casual, dowdy, inelegant, informal,… …   New thesaurus

  • dressy — ► ADJECTIVE (dressier, dressiest) ▪ (of clothes) suitable for a smart or formal occasion …   English terms dictionary

  • dressy — [dres′ē] adj. dressier, dressiest 1. showy or elaborate in dress or appearance 2. stylish, elegant, smart, etc …   English World dictionary

  • dressy — adjective 1 dressy clothes are suitable for formal occasions: Her outfit was just right for a summer evening smart, but not too dressy. 2 someone who is dressy likes to wear very fashionable or formal clothes: Mr Menendez is a very dressy sort of …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • dressy — UK [ˈdresɪ] / US adjective Word forms dressy : adjective dressy comparative dressier superlative dressiest 1) dressy clothes are worn on formal occasions 2) someone who is dressy likes wearing formal clothes …   English dictionary

  • dressy — dress|y [ˈdresi] adj 1.) dressy clothes are suitable for formal occasions ▪ Her outfit was smart but not too dressy. 2.) someone who is dressy likes to wear very fashionable or formal clothes …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • dressy — adjective (dressier; est) Date: 1768 1. showy in dress 2. stylish, smart < dressy clothes > 3. requiring or characterized by fancy or formal dress < a dressy affair > • dressiness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • dressy — dressily, adv. dressiness, n. /dres ee/, adj., dressier, dressiest. 1. appropriate to somewhat formal occasions: an outfit that s a little too dressy for office wear. 2. showy in dress; stylish: a rather dressy reception. [1760 70; DRESS + Y1] *… …   Universalium

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