fancy dress

noun

: a costume (as for a masquerade) chosen to suit the wearer's fancy

Examples of fancy dress in a Sentence

Everyone wore fancy dress for the ball.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No need for a fancy dress or tuxedo for this opera experience. — Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025 Spotlight to buy a bunch of materials for fancy dress. — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 Guests came in all attires, from fancy dresses and button-down shirts to leggings and Crocs, as there is no hard dress code. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025 Posse Posse may have cute sets and fancy dresses, but don’t underestimate the casual items from their latest collection, too. — Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fancy dress

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fancy dress was in 1770

Rhymes for fancy dress

See All Rhymes for fancy dress

Browse Nearby Words

fancy dive
fancy dress
fancy dress ball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fancy dress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancy%20dress. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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