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Definitions

fancy dress

NOUN
finery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apparel regalia
STRONG
caparison decoration formals frippery gear splendor suit trimmings trinkets
WEAK
Sunday best trappings bib and tucker full dress
Antonyms
WEAK
rags

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Helmets are obligatory for those being carried - fancy dress is expected.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Brazilian police have disguised themselves using fancy dress to blend in as Carnival-goers to target phone thieves in Rio de Janeiro.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

James lost his life after going to watch cricket in fancy dress, when England played a Test match at Trent Bridge in July 2011.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

New Year's Day is traditionally the day when brave swimmers don their fancy dress for the Loony Dook - a hangover-clearing dip in the bracing waters of the Firth of Forth.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

I never asked, I never knew, how much he hated the last fancy dress ball ever given at Manderley.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier