Dress up
verb
To put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive.
She dressed up for the monthly dinner party.
Often appears as...
- dressed up for the occasion
- really dressed up
verb
To put on formal clothes for a special occasion.
You need to dress up for the wedding.
Often appears as...
- dress up for a wedding
- dress up for a meeting
verb
To change the appearance of something or someone to make it look better than it really is.
She dressed up the truth to avoid upsetting her parents.
Often appears as...
- dress up the facts
- dress up the truth
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To wear a costume or disguise, usually for fun or a special event.
The children love to dress up for Halloween.
Often appears as...
- dress up as a witch
- dress up as a pirate
verb
To put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive.
She dressed up for the monthly dinner party.
Often appears as...
- dressed up for the occasion
- really dressed up
verb
To put on formal clothes for a special occasion.
You need to dress up for the wedding.
Often appears as...
- dress up for a wedding
- dress up for a meeting
verb
To change the appearance of something or someone to make it look better than it really is.
She dressed up the truth to avoid upsetting her parents.
Often appears as...
- dress up the facts
- dress up the truth
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To wear a costume or disguise, usually for fun or a special event.
The children love to dress up for Halloween.
Often appears as...
- dress up as a witch
- dress up as a pirate
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Special Occasions
The phrase often implies dressing more elegantly than usual for events like dinners or ceremonies.
He dressed up for the awards night.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Appeal
Used when someone wants to look particularly attractive, often going beyond their normal style.
She really dressed up for the date.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Daily Wear
Refers to clothes that are not worn every day, setting the outfit apart from the usual attire.
I dressed up in a tuxedo for the gala.
Pro Tip 1/3Special Occasions
The phrase often implies dressing more elegantly than usual for events like dinners or ceremonies.
He dressed up for the awards night.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Appeal
Used when someone wants to look particularly attractive, often going beyond their normal style.
She really dressed up for the date.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Daily Wear
Refers to clothes that are not worn every day, setting the outfit apart from the usual attire.
I dressed up in a tuxedo for the gala.
Pro Tip 1/3Special Occasions
The phrase often implies dressing more elegantly than usual for events like dinners or ceremonies.
He dressed up for the awards night.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Appeal
Used when someone wants to look particularly attractive, often going beyond their normal style.
She really dressed up for the date.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Daily Wear
Refers to clothes that are not worn every day, setting the outfit apart from the usual attire.
I dressed up in a tuxedo for the gala.
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