dressier; dressiest
1
: showy in dress
2
: stylish, smart
dressy clothes
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 Considering its chic and dressy look, this dress is another great choice for those looking to repurpose some wedding season looks into reception outfit changes. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024 The elegant detail instantly elevates your vacation wardrobe and can be paired with anything from dressy skirts and flowy pants to laidback jeans and pull-on shorts, depending on what your itinerary has in store. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024 The lineup retains the 100 meters of water resistance of the watchmaker’s sportier models but offers up a more elegant, dressy option in a slender 38 mm case. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024 Shoppers style the knit dress with everything from flip-flops to heels for both casual and dressy occasions. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024 It can be worn out as a dressy dinner outfit, by the pool, or even as pajamas in a pinch. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 Get The Recipe 05 of 54 French 75 This timeless cocktail recipe is dressy enough for a fancy dinner party but easy enough for a sunset drink on the porch. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024 Jake’s parents sported dressy casual looks for the occasion, with his father donning a long blue jacket, jeans, and a black sweater. Lawrence Yee, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Having a dressy pair of jeans at your disposal makes picking a look for nights out all the easier. Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dressy was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near dressy

Cite this Entry

“Dressy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dressy. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

dressy

adjective
dressier; dressiest
1
: showy in dress
2
: suitable for formal occasions
dressy clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on dressy

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!