frippery
noun
frip·pery
ˈfri-p(ə-)rē 
plural fripperies
1
a
: finery
also
: an elegant or showy garment
b
: something showy, frivolous, or nonessential
c
: ostentation
especially
: something foolish or affectedly elegant
2
archaic
a
: cast-off clothes
b
: a place where old clothes are sold
Synonyms of frippery
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
This one from chef Yotam Ottolenghi is basic with no frippery to speak of.
—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
And if Ada Lovelace had stuck to the frippery of English society rather than seek to further her education in mathematics and other areas, Charles Babbage's analytical engine might not have advanced past being a calculator.
—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
4 Mar. 2026
In tonight’s episode, Aurora has more to worry about than mere frippery.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 June 2025
Buying the Original marks you as a practical person who cares not for frippery.
—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frippery
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
And if Ada Lovelace had stuck to the frippery of English society rather than seek to further her education in mathematics and other areas, Charles Babbage's analytical engine might not have advanced past being a calculator.
—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
4 Mar. 2026
In tonight’s episode, Aurora has more to worry about than mere frippery.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 June 2025
Buying the Original marks you as a practical person who cares not for frippery.
—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frippery
Cite this Entry
“Frippery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frippery. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frippery
noun
frip·pery
ˈfrip-(ə-)rē
plural fripperies
1
: showy or elegant clothing
2
: something that is not necessary, not serious, or not important
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