dandyism

noun

dan·​dy·​ism ˈdan-dē-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce dandyism (audio)
1
: the style or conduct of a dandy
2
: a literary and artistic style of the latter part of the 19th century marked by artificiality and excessive refinement

Examples of dandyism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This exhibition will explore concepts that define Black dandyism specifically and uncover elements of productive tension that appear when considering the figure—such as ownership, authority and self-possession, ease, exaggeration, freedom, transgression, dissonance, and spectacularity. News Desk, Artforum, 10 Oct. 2024 Since the exhibition will dig into Black dandyism by proxy Talley’s name comes to mind. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Oct. 2024 Contemporary Black dandyism has been enlivening the red carpet at the Met Gala for years. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024 The theme will explore Black men in fashion, contextualized by dandyism. Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2024 But dandyism has deeper roots in African aesthetics, and has since become a transgressive subculture that is continuously revived around the world. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024 Or our beloved Andres–Leon Talley and 3000–men with style so painstakingly attended to and elaborately shown so as to remind us that dandyism ultimately lies in the hands of the man. Julian Randall, Essence, 16 Sep. 2024 The collected edition of Jünger’s interwar theorizing runs to nearly one thousand pages, and gives the impression less of an engaged political writer with a taste for dandyism than a dandy with a taste for politics. Thomas Meaney, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023 At his 1931 trial for tax evasion, federal prosecutors tried to weaponize his dandyism, trotting out his personal tailor who testified, in a not-so-subtle dig, that Capone’s favorite colors were green and canary. Amy Nicholson, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dandyism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dandyism was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near dandyism

Cite this Entry

“Dandyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dandyism. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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