to fancy up
1
6.5
- phrasal verb
- Informal
- These would fancy up a dresser as well. Now let's make them.
Examples
-
They plan to fancy up the living room by adding new curtains and artwork.
-
"Tourism is down, so they want to fancy up the hotel to attract more tourists."
Fiction book (2001) -
It's time to fancy up those drawer pulls and closet doors, people.
Blog text (11) -
She decided to fancy up her outfit with a colorful belt and bold earrings.
-
For the party, he wanted to fancy up his usual style with a tailored suit and tie.
Synonyms
351
2.7
Put on special clothes for an event or to look attractive
29
4.1
To make a place or person look neat and smart
25
3.8
To make yourself or a place look cleaner and nicer
18
4.1
To make a person or a room look special with clothes and decorations
11
7.4
To make something like a car or outfit look very fancy by adding bright decorations
9
8.7
Make something or someone look fancier by adding decorations
8
8.6
To dress or decorate in a fancy way to look nicer
8
3.9
Make yourself look attractive by dressing and doing your hair or makeup
8
3.7
To dress in special clothes to look different or attractive
8
7.2
To get ready by fixing your clothes, hair, or makeup carefully
7
6.3
To make something more beautiful by adding decorative details
5
3.4
Make something look nicer or more attractive for a special event
4
4.3
Make people and places look nicer by dressing up, adding decorations, or using makeup
4
4.8
Make yourself or a place look neater and more stylish
3
7.2
Make a person or place look neater and nicer by cleaning and adding small things
3
6.8
Make yourself or someone more stylish using clothes and makeup
3
8.9
To make something or someone look bright and showy to attract attention
2
7.2
To dress up and make yourself look attractive for a special event
1
7.2
To make someone or something look fancier to impress people
1
5.0
Make something look more attractive, often only on the surface
1
6.3
Make something seem more attractive than it really is
1
9.9
Making a car or other object look bright and showy with extra parts
1
6.9
Dress yourself or others in fancy clothes to look impressive
1
7.2
To add small not needed decorations to clothes or events to make them seem fancier
1
4.6
To put on special clothes to look nice or impressive
1
7.7
Make something look more attractive by adding decorations
1
7.6
To dress neatly and formally for an event
1
8.6
To dress in nice clothes for a special event
1
6.8
Make a person look neat and more attractive by dressing and grooming them carefully
1
9.9
To dress carefully to look fancy
1
9.9
To make a person or thing look fancy, often in a showy way
1
8.2
To put on special clothes to look nice for an event
1
9.4
Make something look more expensive by adding nicer things
1
9.4
To put on special clothes to look attractive for an event
To dress in special clothes to look attractive
To put on fancy clothes to look good
To dress someone or make them act in a showy, fashionable way
To make something or yourself look neat and attractive
Antonyms
How Fancy
8
5.1
- Informal
3
6.8
- Informal
1
6.5
351
2.7
- Informal
25
3.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to make more stylish or elaborate' follows directly from combining 'fancy' (ornate, stylish) with the particle 'up' indicating increase or causation — i.e., 'make (something) fancy.' This verb-particle pattern (adjective/noun + up -> make more X) is productive in English (compare 'dress up', 'spice up') and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would very likely infer the meaning.
Etymology
Fancy up comes from the simple image of adding pretty things or nicer clothes to make something look more special, with fancy meaning stylish and up showing an increase. So, it means 'to dress' or 'decorate' something to make it more attractive.