Meaning & use
Popinjay
Last updated
A vain, conceited person who is excessively concerned with their clothes or appearance.
See it in a sentence
The critics mocked the senator as a preening popinjay more interested in his suits than his policies.
He strutted around the office like a popinjay, expecting compliments on his new watch.
A note on using this word
The word originally meant "parrot," and its meaning shifted to describe a vain, brightly dressed person by comparison to the bird's colorful plumage.
Words with a similar meaning
dandyfop
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Popinjay”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.