finery

noun

fin·​ery ˈfī-nə-rē How to pronounce finery (audio)
ˈfīn-rē
plural fineries
Synonyms of finerynext
: ornament, decoration
especially : dressy or showy clothing and jewels

Synonyms of finery

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Examples of finery in a Sentence

She was proud to show off her new evening finery. the guests arrived at the wedding in all their finery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Guests showed up in their most eccentric finery. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 27 Apr. 2026 People love to fantasize about clothes, to imagine what their own bodies might feel like encased in finery or outfitted in some outré style. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 But four times the talent means four times the finery, which was costume designer Molly Rogers’ challenge. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 May 2026 Hosts can load the table with fine china and florals indoors or out, and the major-commitment option asks guests to show up in tea-time finery, hats included. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for finery

Word History

Etymology

fine entry 1 + -ery

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finery was in 1647

Rhymes for finery

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Browse Nearby Words

fine print
finery
fines
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Cite this Entry

“Finery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finery. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

finery

noun
fin·​ery ˈfīn-(ə-)rē How to pronounce finery (audio)
plural fineries
: showy clothing and jewels

More from Merriam-Webster on finery

Nglish: Translation of finery for Spanish Speakers

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