fancy dress

noun

1. a costume for a ball, masquerade, etc., chosen to please the fancy, usually a costume characteristic of a particular period or place, class of persons, or historical or fictitious character.

fancy dress

noun

1. 1. costume worn at masquerades, etc, usually representing a particular role, historical figure, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fancy-dress ball

Word History and Origins

Origin of fancy dress¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

She added parents faced "absolutely huge" financial pressures, and did not want to have "the only child that isn't going to prom, or hasn't got the fancy dress outfit, or the new football boots."

From BBC

Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated.

From BBC

"The elites and the people in fancy dress get a lot of attention but I like to think we represent the club runners who were at the core of that very first marathon," he says.

From BBC

The emergency vehicles are gone, the police tape has been taken down and students could be seen wearing fancy dress and in high spirits on Saturday.

From BBC

Or, if you like the finer things in life, how does traversing 26.2 miles through Bordeaux's vineyards in fancy dress, sampling wine and cheese at each fuelling station, sound?

From BBC

Related Words

• apparel 
• regalia