dressy

adjective

ˈdre-sē 

dressier; dressiest

1

: showy in dress

2

: stylish, smart

dressy clothes

3

: requiring or characterized by fancy or formal dress

a dressy affair

dressiness noun

Synonyms of dressy

• dress
• formal
• stylish
• fashionable

Examples of dressy in a Sentence

Those shoes are so dressy, I rarely wear them.

She wore an outfit that was much too dressy for the occasion.

Recent Examples on the Web

And the square neckline lends this floaty silhouette just enough structure to pull it in a more dressy direction. — Tanya Sharma, InStyle, 27 June 2026

There are plenty of vacation moments that call for something dressier than sandals but far more comfortable than heels, and these raffia flats fit the bill perfectly. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Flat, strappy pairs work best for dressy occasions like dinners and celebrations. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 June 2026

Holmes’ effortless outfit is tied together with her flowy white blouse, which adds a dressy touch to an otherwise casual outfit. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dressy

• bessy
• cressy
• jesse
• messy

Kids Definition

dressy

adjective

ˈdres-ē 

dressier; dressiest

1

: showy in dress

2

: suitable for formal occasions

dressy clothes