frippery

noun

frip·​pery ˈfri-p(ə-)rē 

plural fripperies

1

obsolete

a

: cast-off clothes

b

archaic : a place where old clothes are sold

2

a

: finery

also : an elegant or showy garment

b

: something showy, frivolous, or nonessential

c

: ostentation

especially : something foolish or affectedly elegant

Synonyms

• attire
• finery
• costume
• gayety
• bravery
• regalia
• apparel
• gaiety

Examples of frippery in a Sentence

The design is simple and devoid of needless frippery.

dressed in their most elegant frippery for the big gala at the symphony

Recent Examples on the Web

None of the 95 rooms at this palatial property, which first opened in the 1860s, is the same, and the decor is an eccentric mishmash that combines every era since then, from Victorian fripperies to sinuously streamlined Art Nouveau. —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 28 July 2025

In tonight’s episode, Aurora has more to worry about than mere frippery. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2025

Buying the Original marks you as a practical person who cares not for frippery. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025

But who has time for all of that frippery, anyway, when war’s a-comin’? —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French friperie, alteration of Old French freperie, from frepe old garment

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for frippery

• slippery

Kids Definition

frippery

noun

frip·​pery ˈfrip-(ə-)rē 

plural fripperies

1

: showy or elegant clothing

2

: something that is not necessary, not serious, or not important