Phrasal verb
dress up
Definitions
01to wear formal clothes
A2 · Elementary
phr.v. to put on your best or most formal clothes for a special occasion.
phr.v. to wear formal or elegant attire, typically for a social event or professional occasion. The verb is intransitive in this sense.
“You don't need to dress up for the party; jeans and a t-shirt are fine.”
“The invitation specified a black-tie dress code, so all the guests were expected to dress up in their finest evening wear.”
Usage
Intransitive; does not take a direct object.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to wear a costume
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to wear a costume to look like a famous person, a character, or an animal.
phr.v. to wear a costume for the purpose of roleplay, entertainment, or disguise. Often used with the preposition 'as'.
“The children love to dress up as superheroes and play in the garden.”
“For the historical reenactment, the volunteers had to dress up in authentic Victorian garments to maintain the atmosphere of the museum.”
Usage
Often followed by 'as' + noun.
03to make something look better
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to make something look more attractive or impressive than it really is.
phr.v. to present something in a more favourable or decorative light, often to disguise its true nature or simplicity.
“She tried to dress up the simple salad with some colorful flowers.”
“The marketing team attempted to dress up the disappointing quarterly results with optimistic projections for the following year.”
Usage
Transitive; the object can sit between 'dress' and 'up'.
Teaching tip
distinguish between the 'formal' sense (wearing a suit) and the 'costume' sense (wearing a mask); in British English, 'fancy dress' specifically refers to the costume sense.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
dress + up (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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