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Added 9 October 2026

dandy

/ˈdæn.di/ noun

In Latin: formaster Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about dandy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A man very concerned about his physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self.
Something excellent in its class.
A yawl, or a small after-sail on a yawl.

adjective

Like a dandy, foppish.
Very good; better than expected but not as good as could be.
That's all fine and dandy, but how much does it cost?
Excellent; first-rate.
What a dandy little laptop you have.

noun

A boatman, a rower. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
A Shaiva mendicant who carries a small rod.
An open sedan chair formed by suspending a rudimentary frame or strong cloth from a pole or set of poles.

Origin

Borrowed from Scots dandy (“a fop; one who is well-dressed”). Of uncertain origin. Possibly from Dandy, a diminutive of Andrew, yet the Scots word is used also in reference to women. Alternatively, possibly a back-formation of Scots dandilly, dandillie (“one who is spoiled or pampered; a "pet"”). Compare English dandle and dander.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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