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noun Uncommon

dandy

DAN-dee

Dandy (noun) means a man who is unusually preoccupied with his clothes, grooming, and refined manners. Example: “He strolled through town dressed like a Victorian dandy.”

noun
1
A man who is unusually preoccupied with his clothes, grooming, and refined manners.
"He strolled through town dressed like a Victorian dandy."
adj
1
Very good or fine, in an old-fashioned, cheerful sense.
""How are you feeling?" "Just dandy, thanks.""

How to use dandy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA stylish, fussy dresser, or (as an adjective) simply "great" or "fine."

When to use it

"Just dandy" as an adjective is often used sarcastically in modern American English to mean the opposite of fine.

Common pairings
fine and dandy a real dandy

Word forms

dandier comparative, dandies plural, dandies plural, dandiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He strolled through town dressed like a Victorian _____.

Etymology

Borrowed from Scots dandy, meaning a fop or someone unusually well-dressed; the exact origin is uncertain, possibly linked to the name Andrew.

barbermonger beau blade blood buck carpet knight cockscomb dike dood dude dudelet exquisite

Antonyms

puritan untidy person

Related words

Rhymes for dandy

See all rhymes for dandy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dandy” mean?

The word “dandy” means a man who is unusually preoccupied with his clothes, grooming, and refined manners. In plain terms, a stylish, fussy dresser, or (as an adjective) simply "great" or "fine.".

How do you pronounce “dandy”?

“Dandy” is pronounced DAN-dee (/ˈdæn.di/ in IPA).

How do you use “dandy” in a sentence?

Here is “dandy” used in a sentence: “He strolled through town dressed like a Victorian dandy.”

What is another word for “dandy”?

Words with a similar meaning to “dandy” include barbermonger, beau, blade, blood, buck and carpet knight.

What is the opposite of “dandy”?

The opposite of “dandy” — its antonyms — are puritan and untidy person.

What part of speech is “dandy”?

Depending on how it is used, “dandy” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “dandy” a common word?

“Dandy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dandy” have?

“Dandy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man who is unusually preoccupied with his clothes, grooming, and refined manners.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial