Dashing
adj.energetic, joyfulliterary
What it means
Attractively stylish, confident, and full of lively presence.
Reach for it when praising a person's spirited appearance and social flair
A dashing violinist in a red waistcoat opened the festival.
Choose between these
6- everyday
when good taste in appearance is the main observation
not when Stylish does not by itself credit confidence, movement, or personal magnetism.
- warm
when lively energy matters more than attractiveness
not when A spirited person may be casually dressed and not dashing in appearance.
- professional
when a person's presence draws and influences others
not when Charisma concerns social effect and says nothing necessary about dress or physical style.
- professional
when an appearance commands attention without judging its charm
not when Something can be striking because it is severe or unusual, not attractively spirited.
- formal
when polished charm and easy manners are both evident
not when The suave implication is unsupported when only the clothing can be seen.
- literary
when courage or courtly courtesy accompanies the appeal
not when Gallant introduces honorable conduct that a dashing look alone cannot prove.
Said against
3- drab
- shabby
- listless
It naturally appears in
3- dashing figure
The dashing figure on the poster wore a bright riding coat.
- dashing style
His dashing style made the traditional uniform feel fresh.
- look dashing
Theo will look dashing in the restored dinner jacket.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adjective, sense 2: spirited, fashionable, and attractive opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.