Meaning & use
a dapper man
Last updated
UK/ə ˈdæpə mæn/
US/ə ˈdæpər mæn/
Meaning
phrasecountableapproving
a man who dresses neatly and stylishly, often in a slightly formal way.
Grammar: 'Dapper' is an adjective before a noun; you can also say 'He looks dapper.'
Patterns
- a dapper man
- look dapper
- a dapper gentleman
The dapper man in the gray suit held the door open for us.
He looked dapper in his new jacket and tie.
Common combinations
- a dapper gentleman
- A dapper gentleman tipped his hat as he passed.
- look dapper
- You look dapper today—is that a new shirt?
- a dapper suit
- He wore a dapper suit to the wedding.
- dapper in a hat
- She thought he was dapper in a hat and long coat.
Synonyms and how they differ
- smart
- Smart is a more general British word for neat, stylish clothing; dapper is more specific to men and a slightly old-fashioned elegance.
- well-dressed
- Well-dressed simply means wearing nice clothes; dapper adds a sense of style and neatness.
- elegant
- Elegant suggests grace and good taste, and can describe women too; dapper is mostly for men.
Opposites
Word family
- dapperly adverb
- in a neat and stylish way (rare)
- dapperness noun
- the quality of being dapper (rare)
Commonly confused: a dapper man or dapper?
a dapper man vs dapper
Not to be confused with 'dapper' as in 'dapper' meaning quick or nimble, which is old-fashioned and rare.
Practice
He always looks ______ in his tailored suits.
Choose one answer.
'Dapper' is an adjective used after 'looks'. 'Dapperly' is an adverb, 'dapperness' is a noun, and 'dapperer' is not a standard form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a dapper man”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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