preppy

play

noun prep·py \ˈpre-pē\

variants: or

preppie

Definition of preppy

plural

preppies

1 : a student at or a graduate of a preparatory school
2 : a person deemed to dress or behave like a preppy

See preppy defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of preppy

¹prep

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1928

See Words from the same year

preppy

adjective prep·py

variants: or

preppie

Definition of preppy

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

play \ˈpre-pə-lē\ adverb

preppiness

play \ˈpre-pē-nəs\ noun

Recent Examples of preppy from the Web

The pattern has grown beyond its preppy reputation and manifested itself into wrap dresses, '90s-style bib-neck minis, and sharp pencil skirts—though, the easy, breezy, and quintessentially vibe remains a constant.

— ana colon, Glamour, "All the Gingham Dresses to Buy While You Still Have Summer Weekends," 21 July 2017
The sun room was a vision of the classic pink and green preppy combo in decor and desserts -- cookies by Joan Farrell-Mathis, macaroon trees by Sucre, Lil Bitz cake balls, and other assorted sweets from ETC!

— sue strachan, NOLA.com, "Virginia Dodenhoff, Ellie Grehan and Julia Grehan celebrated at '80s preppy style soiree," 19 July 2017
Versace took a youthful turn this season too, reappropriating their classic '90s silk shirts and jackets, alongside baby pink color block combos and preppy jumpers.

— clive martin, CNN, "Men's Fashion Week: Designers step into a strange new world," 13 July 2017
The once go-to source for preppy clothing also saw the high-profile exit of creative director Jenna Lyons.

— kirsten korosec, Fortune, "Ex-J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler Gets This Lifetime Perk," 13 July 2017
Meanwhile, dad chose preppy separates, complete with a pastel sweater draped casually around his shoulders.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas Do Family Dinner Out in Style," 6 July 2017
THE KHAKIS A look made famous by '90s Gap ads, the white button-down and khaki combo is perhaps the ultimate preppy (slash business-casual) outfit.

— andrea cheng, Glamour, "The Fashion-Girl Way to Style Preppy Clothing," 22 June 2017
Ivanka Trump, preppy in sunglasses and all-white knit pleated dress, posed for selfies with lawmakers in the Republican dugout.

— ashley parker, Washington Post, "At Congressional Baseball Game, hopes for less acrimony among lawmakers," 15 June 2017
A move by J. Crew Group Inc. to tame its $2 billion debt load is already meeting resistance from a group of creditors that’s been battling the preppy clothing chain over control of its brand.

— jodi xu klein, Philly.com, "J. Crew term loan lenders said to drum up debt swap opposition," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preppy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of preppy

1900

PREPPY Defined for English Language Learners

preppy

play

noun

Definition of preppy for English Language Learners

: someone who dresses or acts like a student at a prep school (such as by wearing neat, somewhat formal clothing or by using particular words and phrases)