frilly

adjective

Definition of frillynext
as in showy

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of frilly From feathery clutches to frilly brooches, fashion week guests are using the playful texture to give their looks an unexpected pop. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 10 Sep. 2026 The company does, though, sell a scarf called Tulipomanie, covered in frilly blooms of an exquisiteness that seems to rebut the charge of excess hype with a wink. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Ava Max steps out in the New York City neighborhood of East Village on July 17, in a quirky look of an oversized hat an frilly shirt. — People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 This frilly stripe and solid one-piece is almost too pretty to get wet. — Jessica Benavides Canepa, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026 Interestingly, her bandmate Tzuyu’s frilly bloomers with garter-type ties did not fan flames on social media. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Plant species with contrasting textures, such as frilly ferns with the large, bold leaves of hosta. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026 The analog girl in a digital world took the stage on Sunday evening to close out the festival wearing what looked like a mushroom cap on her head, accented by a frilly, droopy outfit that looked like it was designed by psilocybin. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frilly
  1. showy
  2. flamboyant
  3. exuberant
  4. extravagant
  5. ostentatious
  6. grandiose
  7. overwrought
  8. elegant
Adjective
  • While the punk rock scene that spawned them was about overthrowing the bloated rock royalty of the ‘60s and mid-‘70s, punk was still showy and flamboyant; Joy Division were nothing of the sort.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Although garden mums are considered hardy to Zone 5, breeders have developed fall mums with big mounds of showy flowers that may not be as cold-hardy as in the past.
    — Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of showy
Adjective
  • The grim scene was a stark contrast to the flamboyant public life the businessman had cultivated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Hammer tends to deliver equally sensible advice, only in a more flamboyant and revved-up package.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of flamboyant
Adjective
  • To me, Harry’s moves still feel a little too abrasive for these styles, but the judges eat up this exuberant jive.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The show now possesses a spirit so exuberant as to enthrall for its joyous 80 minutes of running time.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of exuberant
Adjective
  • Sleek and extravagant, Rosewood Abu Dhabi provides a dramatic welcome, with architecture that calls to mind an undulating desert.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Known for its dark humor and groundbreaking CGI, Death Becomes Her astounds with ornate design detail and extravagant furnishings.
    — Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • Even in a nation known for ostentatious displays of baseball obsession, the ensuing theatrics went viral.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The structures, made of raw concrete, exuded an ostentatious form of modesty, emblematic of the town’s character.
    — Afra Wang, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of ostentatious
Adjective
  • In this seduction, in a text that manages to be both grandiose and intimate, Rice works the mysterious alchemy of creating permanence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The prosecution said Bakker had diverted millions of dollars to pay for his and Tammy Faye’s grandiose lifestyle.
    — Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of grandiose
Adjective
  • The letter was overearnest, overwrought, and self-serious in a way that only a person on the cusp of proper adulthood could produce.
    — Robert P. Baird, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Scrap what isn’t working—the overwrought schedule, the good habits gone bad.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of overwrought
Adjective
  • The elegant and spacious suites feature terraces with sun loungers and panoramic ocean views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Working with the local firm Dvira Interiors, the owners turned the 12,000-square-foot residence into an elegant home that takes advantage of refined touches like ornate decorative moldings and brushed bronze and satin gold fixtures.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant

Browse Nearby Words

frills
frilly
fringe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frilly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All