dandy

[ dan-dee ]

noun

, plural dan·dies.

1. a man who is excessively concerned about his clothes and appearance; a fop.
2. Informal. something or someone of exceptional or first-rate quality:

   Your reply was a dandy.

adjective

, dan·di·er, dan·di·est.

1. characteristic of a dandy; foppish.
2. Informal. fine; excellent; first-rate:

   a dandy vacation spot.

dandy

¹

/ ˈdændɪ /

noun

1. a man greatly concerned with smartness of dress; beau
2. a yawl or ketch

adjective

1. informal.
   very good or fine

dandy

²

/ ˈdændɪ /

noun

1. another name for dengue

Derived Forms

• ˈdandily, adverb
• ˈdandyism, noun
• ˈdandyish, adjective

Other Words From

• dandi·ly dandy·ish·ly dan·di·a·cal·ly [dan-, dahy, -, uh, k-lee], adverb
• dandy·ish dan·dia·cal adjective
• dandy·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandy¹

First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandy¹

C18: perhaps short for jack-a-dandy

Idioms and Phrases

see fine and dandy .

Example Sentences

“I just like to think we’re somewhere in the middle. You know, we have our struggles — like of course I’m not gonna sit here and say that everything’s absolutely fine and dandy, because of course you go through different things, and that’s what a relationship is.”

From Los Angeles Times

The second favorite is Fierceness, who won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and is coming off back-to-back wins in the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes.

From Los Angeles Times

While Jackie’s advert features a pop soundtrack and flashy images, a 1950s ad for the Dandy has a cast of actors playing teachers, policemen and excited children.

From BBC

Or in the case of readers of the Dandy - a Thunderbang, a noisy paper toy which is demonstrated in one of the ads.

From BBC

The Dandy first broke the one million mark in 1945 but by April 1950, sales were over two million.

From BBC

Related Words

• first-rate
• marvelous
• nifty
• splendid
• terrific