finery

Everyday

1. Fancy, expensive or very smart clothes and jewellery worn for a special occasion. tree →
2. Bright, showy decoration. tree →

In the lessons

A story word for people dressed up for parties, weddings and balls: «in all their finery», «in their Sunday finery». It can be gently mocking when someone shows off. In The Wind in the Willows Toad loves dressing up, and in old tales animals like the peacock show off their finery.

Examples

• The guests arrived at the wedding in all their finery. tree →
• The Queen of Hearts came in all her royal finery. tree →
• The peacock strutted about showing off its finery. tree →
• On Sunday the family went to church in their finery. tree →
• Toad paraded in his new motoring finery: goggles, cap and gaiters. tree →
• The town was decked in flags and finery for the festival. tree →
• Dressed in his borrowed finery he strutted loftily among the birds of his own kind. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no «a», no plural («in their finery»). Pronounced FY-ner-ee. From «fine» (beautiful, smart). Mostly found in stories and descriptions, slightly old-fashioned or humorous.