dressy

1 of 2

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

dressiness

2 of 2

noun

dress·​i·​ness

ˈdresēnə̇s, 

-sin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being dressy

Synonyms of dressy

Adjective

• dress
• formal
• stylish
• fashionable

Examples of dressy in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Finding a sandal that looks dressy, but is comfortable enough to walk miles in is a challenge. — Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 18 June 2026

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

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

Adjective

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