preppy

1 of 2

noun

prep·​py ˈpre-pē How to pronounce preppy (audio)
variants or preppie
plural preppies
1
: a student at or a graduate of a preparatory school
2
: a person deemed to dress or behave like a preppy

preppy

2 of 2

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 adverb
preppiness noun

Examples of preppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
She's also been sporting some relaxed preppy ’fits that nonetheless suit the high-tone vibe associated with the sport. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024 When Love Story, the tale of a doomed romance between Ivy League students Oliver, a rich preppy, and Jenny, a spirited social zero, went from a slender paperback to an unexpected box-office smash despite a downbeat ending where Jenny dies of, well, something. Amy Nicholson, Town & Country, 1 Dec. 2020 Thom Browne, fashion’s most dedicated preppy, took subversion to the extreme in his most recent collection, with boys in repp ties, grosgrain jockstraps and ladies-who-lunch bouclé skirt suits—a look that one imagines wouldn’t fly at any country club, except maybe one on Fire Island. Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2022 Think about it: the record companies forced them to be clean cut and preppy and all those things. Gary Gerard Hamilton, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Feb. 2023 The 2022 Grace Wales Bonner Sambas have the brand's signature vintage-preppy spin with sleek tones, contrast stitching, and satin lining. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Dec. 2022 Channeling an on-trend preppy heritage look but with the comforting familiarity of traditional decorating styles, dark leather decor truly has it all. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2023 The frock featured white dress shirt cuffs and a sharp, contrasting collar with a black tie that mimicked the preppy Nevermore Academy uniform, and the whole look was cinched together with a metal corset belt. Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 19 Dec. 2022 Trust fund baby of possible criminal family; dresses preppy . . . Daniel A. Gross, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2022
Adjective
From her jacket to her purse, Swift’s latest date night look also continues her preppy style streak. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024 Pair them with preppy staples and a shiny pair of silver ballet flats. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024 Pair these with a navy blue blazer and boat shoes for a preppy look. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024 Garnish with mint sprigs for a preppy pink-and-green presentation. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024 For the lunch date, Swift had on a light blue sweater, a preppy pleated skirt, and a pair of Reformation loafers, per the brand. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024 And as the story hurtles toward 1970 (there’s a highly amusing space-race subplot), the powdery, gauzy town of Palm Beach becomes louder, zanier, and more outlandish—with preppy Lilly Pulitzer swapped out for psychedelic Pucci. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024 Polo Ralph Lauren Traveler Swim Shorts Of course Ralph Lauren perfected the preppy swim formula. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2024 This pair comes in 10 solid colors (including sage, powder pink, black, and red) and has about a 5-inch inseam, keeping it in the vein of the preppy, sporty trunks popular on Instagram right now. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

prep entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preppy was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near preppy

Cite this Entry

“Preppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preppy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on preppy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!