dapper

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dapper" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who looks smart and fashionable, often in a formal or traditional way. For example, "He walked into the room wearing a top hat and tails, looking very dapper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The puffin seems eminently suitable to be our national bird: a dapper little character who is equally at home on sea or land, given to hedonistic feasting when the seasons allow, but also capable of austere self-denial (they spend their winters out in the North Atlantic).

The Guardian - Travel

An equally dapper man of around the same age (Sam Robards) follows him.

The Guardian - Film

Suddenly, this dapper little man of the world in a sharp suit appeared, and we were hooked.

The Guardian - Sport

The Labour politician Roy Mason, who has died aged 91, was a small and dapper but pugnacious man, proud of his mining heritage, whose characteristic pout of the lips before delivering a bon mot could set most latterday National Union of Mineworkers gatherings and any Irish nationalists quivering with rage.

The Guardian

The costume department does not disappoint, and the bow tie collection reserved for dapper GP Dr Heston Carter is a thing of beauty.

The Guardian

A dapper, clean-shaven figure, Mr Uppal drew their attention to Canada, where a namesake, Tim Uppal, is a Conservative minister, resplendent in a bushy black beard and turban.

The Economist

Next week, the dapper Frenchman, who will be 95 in August, will be attended by hundreds of guests at a series of Paris parties to mark what many believe will be the final accolade of his life.

The Economist

Mr Pack then appeared, silver-haired and dapper in monogrammed shirt, silk tie and crocodile skin shoes.

The Economist

"You get to America, the land of milk and honey, and you get to choose," says Mr Rodriguez, a dapper figure in a well-cut blazer and aviator sunglasses.Hispanic Catholics cheered the election of Pope Francis, an Argentine.

The Economist

A semi-schooled 18-year-old, who arrived from Uttar Pradesh six months ago, Mr Ahmed earns 100 rupees a day.The sorted plastic is ground into flakes, and sold to a granule-maker such as Nausheed Khan, a tall and dapper Dharavi-born businessman.

The Economist

The death and destruction of the past 20 years have finished the job and opened the way for outsiders and youngsters, often with wilder ideas of their own.That was an impossible challenge for the mainstream Chechen leadership the dapper Jokhar Dudayev, the first president, and one of his ill-starred successors, Aslan Maskhadov.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dapper" to describe someone whose appearance is not only neat but also conveys a sense of style and attention to detail. The word often implies a touch of old-fashioned elegance.

Common error

Avoid using "dapper" in overly casual or informal settings. It's best suited for describing appearances that are intentionally stylish and well-put-together, not just generally neat.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "dapper" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying nouns (usually people) to indicate their appearance is neat, stylish, and often carries a sense of traditional elegance. Ludwig's examples showcase the use of the word in media and encyclopedias.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dapper" is an adjective used to describe someone who is stylish, neat, and well-groomed, often with a touch of old-fashioned elegance. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. To avoid misuse, remember that while "dapper" suggests refinement, it is more restrictive in meaning than alternatives as "smartly dressed", "well-groomed", and "natty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smartly dressed

Emphasizes the stylishness of the clothing.

well-groomed

Focuses on neatness and attention to personal appearance.

fashionably dressed

Highlights adherence to current fashion trends.

natty

A more old-fashioned synonym for "dapper".

spruce

Implies neatness and cleanliness in appearance.

chic

Suggests stylishness and elegance, often associated with high fashion.

debonair

Emphasizes charm and confidence in addition to stylishness.

trim

Focuses on neatness and orderliness in appearance.

sharp-dressed

A more modern and informal way to describe someone who dresses well.

stylishly attired

A more formal and descriptive alternative to "dapper".

FAQs

How can I use "dapper" in a sentence?

You can use "dapper" to describe someone who is neatly and stylishly dressed. For example, "He looked quite "dapper" in his suit and tie".

What is a synonym for "dapper"?

Synonyms for "dapper" include "smartly dressed", "well-groomed", and "natty". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

What is the difference between "dapper" and "stylish"?

"Stylish" generally means conforming to current trends or fashions, while "dapper" suggests a more classic and refined sense of style. A person can be stylish without being dapper, and vice versa.

Is "dapper" only used to describe men?

While "dapper" is more commonly used to describe men, it can also be used to describe women, although less frequently. When applied to women, it suggests a similar sense of neatness, style, and attention to detail in dress.