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

De Bascher was the opposite, a dandy who enjoyed dissolute idleness with an elegant insouciance.

From New York Times

“You’ll carry on as if nothing was wrong, as if everything was fine and dandy?”

From New York Times

The projected starting QB, after all, is Geno Smith — a Pro Bowler whose last season and a half has been somewhere between decent and dandy.

From Seattle Times

In 1972, Isaac Hayes accepted his Oscar for oringal song in a frilly lavender top that evoked both the dominant styles of the Black artistic community and the old-school white dandy.

From Los Angeles Times

Hence another reason why I stick with my handy dandy masher.

From Salon

Related Words

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