dressier; dressiest
1
: showy in dress
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
Amazon Essentials Soft Touch Pleated Shoulder Crewneck Sweater For a slightly dressier look, grab this Amazon Essentials sweater with pleated shoulders and subtle puff sleeves.
—
Eden Lichterman, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
For an afternoon event, tea-length (something that falls around midcalf) is expected for women in dressy day fabrics (silk, organza, cotton with some sheen), while daytime suits are expected for men (in gray, black or navy fabrics with no sheen).
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of helping a room feel inviting, window treatments that are way too dressy can feel stuffy and outdated.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
Or create a dressy-casual look with this $10 long-sleeve dress in black and cozy long cardigan, then finish with these Western-style booties.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dressy
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.
Eden Lichterman, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
For an afternoon event, tea-length (something that falls around midcalf) is expected for women in dressy day fabrics (silk, organza, cotton with some sheen), while daytime suits are expected for men (in gray, black or navy fabrics with no sheen).
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Instead of helping a room feel inviting, window treatments that are way too dressy can feel stuffy and outdated.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
Or create a dressy-casual look with this $10 long-sleeve dress in black and cozy long cardigan, then finish with these Western-style booties.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dressy
Cite this Entry
“Dressy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dressy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dressy
adjective
dressier; dressiest
1
: showy in dress
2
: suitable for formal occasions
dressy clothes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
