Sunday best

noun

1. one's best clothes, esp regarded as those most suitable for churchgoing

Idioms and Phrases

One's finest clothes, as in They were all in their Sunday best for the photographer . This expression alludes to reserving one's best clothes for going to church; indeed, an older idiom is Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes ( meeting here meaning “prayer meeting”). [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Grandmother and grandchild were sitting on the bench dressed in their Sunday-best and with a book on their knees.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Mrs. Black's everyday hat was handsomer than her own Sunday-best.

From Project Gutenberg

On his way home he tried in vain to dodge Luella Thickins, but she headed him off with one of her Sunday-best smiles.

From Project Gutenberg

Sunday-best is a different matter, and in this the other gaffer was clothed.

From Project Gutenberg

It is needless to say, I was dressed in my Sunday-best the next morning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apparel
• attire
• costume
• ensemble
• frock
• garb
• gown
• robe
• skirt
• smock
• suit
• uniform
• wardrobe