To make someone, something, or oneself look more attractive, fancy, or impressive.
To make yourself or a place look really nice and special, often with a lot of effort.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To dress oneself or someone else in fancy, elaborate, or special clothing.
"The kids all gussied up for their grandmother's birthday party."
I got all gussied up for nothing — the event was cancelled.
— Widely attested colloquial usage in North American speech; frequently cited in US journalism, e.g. various lifestyle columns, 2000s–2010s
To make a place, document, or object look more attractive or impressive, sometimes superficially.
"They gussied up the proposal with charts and graphics to impress the investors."
Chiefly North American informal English. The reflexive form 'gussy oneself up' is very common. Carries a slightly humorous or affectionate tone. Often used when someone is dressed more elaborately than the occasion demands.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "gussy up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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