dress-up

[ dres-uhp ]

adjective

1. being an occasion, situation, etc., for which one must be somewhat formally well-dressed:

   the first dress-up dance of the season.

noun

1. Informal. Usually dress-ups.
   1. a person's best clothes:

      Wear your dress-ups for the reception.

   2. accessories or other added features:

      a car with custom dress-ups.

dress up

verb

1. to attire (oneself or another) in one's best clothes
2. to put fancy dress, disguise, etc, on (oneself or another), as in children's games

   let's dress up as ghosts!

3. tr to improve the appearance or impression of

   it's no good trying to dress up the facts

Word History and Origins

Origin of dress-up¹

First recorded in 1665–75; noun, adj. use of verb phrase dress up

Example Sentences

The subculture includes “furries,” or people who dress up in elaborate animal costumes.

From Los Angeles Times

Others were dressed up like they were going to a fancy party or a formal event.

From Salon

Authorities said she shot Marlene Warren while dressed up in a clown costume more than 30 years ago.

From BBC

She dresses up this sacrificial act, perhaps the first one we have ever seen her make, as something else because even in death, Agatha has a reputation to uphold.

From Salon

“This is where movies are made and this is where people dress up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attire
• clothe
• deck out
• embellish
• spruce up