What does dapperest mean?
Dapperest is the superlative of dapper and means the most neat, attractive, and well-dressed person or thing in an implied group. Its use adds a comparative frame to dapper's already complimentary sense: something is not merely carefully dressed, but the neatest or most stylish of those being considered. The word commonly appears in literary, nostalgic, or gently humorous prose and can evoke old-fashioned charm or exaggerate a difference in appearance. It is understood in both British and American English. Because dapperest is a regular superlative, it can stand alone when the relevant comparison is obvious, as in He was the dapperest at the party. It also works when no explicit comparison set is named, making it sound vivid and occasionally theatrical.
adjectiveThe superlative of dapper: most neat, attractive, and well-dressed.
- Most dapper; the neatest or most attractively dressed.
"He was the dapperest guest at the wedding."
"He was the dapperest guest at the wedding."
"The tailor was the dapperest in town, as usual."
Dapperest gives dapper's compliment a superlative flourish: it names the most stylishly dressed member of the group.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dapperest
Dapperest is formed from dapper by adding the English superlative suffix -est. Dapper appeared in English in the early 17th century, although its ultimate source is disputed and cannot be assigned with confidence to a particular language.
Related word forms
How dapperest is actually used
Dapperest is used in British and American English and has a literary, old-fashioned, or gently humorous tone. It normally implies a comparison among people or things, although that comparison may remain unstated when the context makes it obvious.
Easily confused with dapperest
Dapper describes someone or something as neat and attractively dressed, while dapperest identifies the most dapper member of an implied group.