1 A2 informal
To put on smart, formal, or special clothes for an occasion.
"You don't need to dress up for the party — it's very casual."
inseparable
dress up
A2 informal mixed transitive/intransitive
To put on special, formal, or costume clothing, or to make something appear more attractive than it really is.
In plain English
To wear fancy clothes or a costume, or to make something look better than it is.
What does "dress up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
To wear a costume or disguise, especially pretending to be a character.
"The kids dressed up as pirates and witches for Halloween."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To make something appear more impressive, attractive, or acceptable than it really is.
"No matter how you dress it up, the policy is basically a tax cut for the wealthy."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To dress in a higher (more elaborate or formal) way.
Actually means
To wear fancy clothes or a costume, or to make something look better than it is.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday speech. Children 'dress up' in costumes; adults 'dress up' for formal events. The figurative sense (making something seem better than it is) is common in journalism and politics.
Words that pair with "dress up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
costume fancy dress party Halloween truth occasion
How to conjugate "dress up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dress up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dresses up
he/she/it
Past simple
dressed up
yesterday
Past participle
dressed up
have + pp
-ing form
dressing up
continuous
Hear "dress up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dress up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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