First Known Use: circa 1780
Dictionary
1dandy
noun dan·dy \ˈdan-dē\
: a man who cares too much about his clothing and personal appearance
: something that is very good or impressive : a very good example of something
plural dandies
Full Definition of DANDY
1
: a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance
2
: something excellent in its class
— dan·dy·ish \-dē-ish\ adjective
— dan·dy·ish·ly adverb
See dandy defined for English-language learners
See dandy defined for kids
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Origin of DANDY
probably short for jack-a-dandy, from 1jack + a (of) + dandy (origin unknown)
Related to DANDY
- Synonyms
- beau, Beau Brummell, buck, dude, fop, gallant, jay, lounge lizard, macaroni, pretty boy, toff [chiefly British]
2dandy
adjective
: very good
dan·di·erdan·di·est
Full Definition of DANDY
1
: of, relating to, or suggestive of a dandy : foppish
2
: very good : first-rate <a dandy place to stay>
See dandy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DANDY
1792
Related to DANDY
- Synonyms
- A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, excellent, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
DANDY Defined for Kids
1dandy
noun dan·dy \ˈdan-dē\
plural dandies
Definition of DANDY for Kids
1
: a man who is extremely interested in his clothes and appearance
2
: something excellent or unusual
2dandy
adjective
dan·di·erdan·di·est
Definition of DANDY for Kids
: very good <We had a dandy time.>
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