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

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
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.
Pair them with a dressy outfit for dinner or a casual look for brunch. Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2025 In early April, an administrative judge ruled the agency retaliated against a veteran officer who declined to wear a uniform shirt in court, preferring dressy civilian clothes. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025 In the tailored world, the double-breasted jacket took top billing, with this historically dressy model styled in a more relaxed way: unbuttoned and paired with polo knits or button-front shirts open at the neck. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 June 2025 Keep accessories simple with some gold hoops and a pair of oblong sunglasses, and throw on a clutch bag with your favorite charm to add a personal touch to the dressy casual look. Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dressy

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dressy was in 1768

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dressy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dressy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dressy

adjective
dressier; dressiest
1
: showy in dress
2
: suitable for formal occasions
dressy clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on dressy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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