Quick answer
Frippery means decorative but trivial finery: showy extras that may look pretty but add little substance.
Word page
Frippery Meaning
Frippery means showy decorative finery or something ornamental but not very substantial. It is a useful word when something looks fancy, sparkly, or elaborate, yet feels a little unnecessary.
At a glance
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How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, frippery is fancy decoration that may be more about appearance than usefulness. It can describe clothing, design, writing, ceremony, or any little flourish that feels excessive.
Example sentences
- Simple: The costume was all ribbons, lace, and frippery.
- Everyday: The app looked polished, but much of the animation felt like frippery.
- Writing: Behind the palace frippery, the rooms were cold and practical.
- Nuance: Frippery can be pretty and pointless at the same time.
- Awkward: “The safety instructions are frippery.” Better: frippery should refer to decoration or trivial extras, not essential information.
Tone, context, and nuance
Frippery can be affectionate or critical. It may suggest charming decoration, or it may dismiss something as shallow ornament. Context decides whether the sparkle is delightful or silly.
Common mistakes
- Do not use frippery for anything simply attractive; it implies ornamental excess or triviality.
- Do not confuse it with foppery, which focuses more on vain behavior.
- Do not use it for essential details.
- Do not assume it is always harsh; it can be lightly playful.
Synonyms and similar words
| Similar word | Difference |
|---|---|
| finery | Decorative clothing or adornment, often more neutral. |
| ornament | A general word for decoration. |
| trimmings | Extra decorative details. |
| folderol | Trivial nonsense or fuss, less focused on decoration. |
| foppery | Vain affected behavior, not just decorative extras. |
Opposite words
| Opposite | Nuance |
|---|---|
| simplicity | A lack of unnecessary ornament. |
| substance | Meaning or value beyond decoration. |
| utility | Usefulness rather than show. |
| plainness | No extra decorative flourish. |
Word family
Frippery is a noun. Fripperies is the plural and can refer to multiple decorative trifles or showy extras.
Word origin
Frippery is connected with older words for old clothes or finery and came to suggest decorative trifles, showy ornament, or things more flashy than substantial.
Writing tip
Use frippery when decoration feels excessive, charmingly trivial, or a little hollow. Use decoration, ornament, or detail when you want a neutral word.
Common questions
- What does frippery mean in simple words? Frippery means showy decoration or fancy extras that are not very serious or useful.
- How do you pronounce frippery? Frippery is pronounced FRIP-uh-ree.
- Is frippery positive or negative? It can be either playful or critical, depending on context.
- What is the difference between frippery and foppery? Frippery is decorative excess; foppery is vain or affected behavior.
- What is another word for frippery? Related choices include finery, ornament, trimmings, folderol, and decorative excess.
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Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 14, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.