# dandy

/ˈdændi/ (US) · /dˈændi/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dandy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a man who cares a lot about his clothes and looking very stylish. It is a slightly old-fashioned word for someone who is very fashionable.

For teachers: a man who places excessive importance on physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies. Often used to describe historical figures or those with a highly curated, flamboyant style.

## Examples

- He dressed like a dandy in his velvet suit.
- The young man was quite the dandy, spending most of his inheritance on custom-made silk waistcoats and expensive perfumes.
- While the term originated as a critique of vanity, the nineteenth-century dandy often used his appearance as a form of social rebellion against the drab uniformity of the industrial age.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the definite article ('the dandy') to refer to the social archetype.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.