dandy — a man excessively concerned with looking stylish and fashionable
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a man excessively concerned with looking stylish and fashionable
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdændi/
Example Sentences
- My grandfather was quite a dandy in his youth, always wearing bow ties and pocket watches.
- Everything is just dandy until the cat knocked over the wedding cake!
- He spent more on clothes than most people spend on rent, a true dandy of our times.
dandy
NOUN[/ˈdændi/]
a man excessively concerned with looking stylish and fashionable
Image coming soon
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word emerged in the 18th century, derived from the phrase 'Jack-a-dandy,' which originally referred to a small child or diminutive person. The term later came to denote a man excessively concerned with his fashionable appearance and fine clothing, reflecting the social context of aristocratic male culture during this period.
Breakdown
Jack-a-dandy (a playful or diminutive figure) → dandy (a man of elaborate dress and refined manner). The origin of 'dandy' itself remains uncertain, though it may derive from the proper name Jack combined with a reduplicative or diminutive element.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandfather was quite a dandy in his youth, always wearing bow ties and pocket watches.”
“Everything is just dandy until the cat knocked over the wedding cake!”
“He spent more on clothes than most people spend on rent, a true dandy of our times.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.