frippery

noun

frip·​pery ˈfri-p(ə-)rē How to pronounce frippery (audio)
plural fripperies
1
obsolete
a
: cast-off clothes
b
archaic : a place where old clothes are sold
2
a
: finery
also : an elegant or showy garment
b
: something showy, frivolous, or nonessential
c
: ostentation
especially : something foolish or affectedly elegant

Examples of frippery in a Sentence

The design is simple and devoid of needless frippery. dressed in their most elegant frippery for the big gala at the symphony
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The British actor, almost as a counterpoint to the Nantucket frippery on display in the adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s chart-topping beach read, can now be found on the stage of the prestigious Almeida Theatre in Islington, North London. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024 None of the 95 rooms at this palatial property, which first opened in the 1860s, is the same, and the decor is an eccentric mishmash that combines every era since then, from Victorian fripperies to sinuously streamlined Art Nouveau. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 July 2024 Again, this could be all down to the writing, to the show’s expanding storylines and self-conscious frippery. Aja Romano, Vox, 21 May 2024 Forget five-star fripperies like the big TV, the room service menu, the chocolate on the pillow - though a coffee machine and a bottle of Asturian wine would certainly be nice. Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for frippery 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French friperie, alteration of Old French freperie, from frepe old garment

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frippery was in 1568

Dictionary Entries Near frippery

Cite this Entry

“Frippery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frippery. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

frippery

noun
frip·​pery ˈfrip-(ə-)rē How to pronounce frippery (audio)
plural fripperies
1
: showy or elegant clothing
2
: something that is not necessary, not serious, or not important

More from Merriam-Webster on frippery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!