preppy

adjective

variants or preppie

1

: relating to, characteristic of, or being a preppy

2

: relating to or being a style of dress characterized especially by classic clothing and neat appearance

preppily

ˈpre-pə-lē 

adverb

preppiness

ˈpre-pē-nəs 

noun

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Slang Meaning of Preppy

A new use of preppy refers to a casual but upscale fashion trend, especially popular among preteen girls in the early 2020s, marked by bright colors and playful patterns. Some hallmarks include pastel pinks and blues, designs involving smiley faces and lightning bolts, athleisure, pleated miniskirts, baggy or cropped tops, hair bows, skincare products, and trendy accessories, with a premium placed on name brands. Learn more >

Examples of preppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are few garments more ingrained in the preppy aesthetic than short-sleeve polo shirts. —Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 25 May 2026

Pair with an asymmetric blazer or cropped trench jacket for a dose of preppy polish that would make Daisy proud. —Olivia Allen, Vogue, 25 May 2026

It can be worn open as a lightweight layer, buttoned up for dressier occasions, or tied around your shoulders for a dose of preppy energy. —Annie Blackman, InStyle, 23 May 2026

Throw on a button-down for a preppy outfit, or pair it with a T-shirt. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1