dashing

adjective

dash·​ing ˈda-shiŋ How to pronounce dashing (audio)
1
: marked by vigorous action : spirited
a dashing young horse
2
: marked by smartness especially in dress and manners
dashingly adverb

Examples of dashing in a Sentence

She married a dashing young lawyer from the city. a brave and dashing soldier The actor cuts a dashing figure as a young Jack Kennedy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sisters received gentleman callers, including, in Eliza’s case, the dashing young officer and future British spy John André. Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025 Luna and Tonatiuh also appear in the film-within-the-film, their dashing personas and colorful surroundings a stark juxtaposition to the dreary prison walls. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 Jones took a couple of steps toward the dashing Lawrence and then stood by and watched him score. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 The actor, who plays the dashing Prince Fiyero in Wicked, has commanded the stage, small screen, and now Hollywood blockbusters—all while maintaining the same approachable charm that first drew audiences to him in the early days of his 30-year career. Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dashing

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dashing was circa 1697

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Cite this Entry

“Dashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dashing. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dashing

adjective
dash·​ing
ˈdash-iŋ
1
: noticeably bold and forceful
a dashing attack
2
: showy and stylish especially in dress and manners
made a dashing appearance
dashingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on dashing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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