as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming
gone are the days when the high school prom was held in the gym, which had been gussied up for the occasion
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Recent Examples of gussy up
This is increasingly becoming a thing theaters are experimenting with, tapping into the latest TikTok trends to gussy up your pop.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
But why is Nvidia voluntarily forfeiting an accounting maneuver that helps companies gussy up their results?
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026
Multiple, vastly different environments offer a choose-your-own adventure of a stay: Stumble out of bed late and hit the pool chairs for some sun and hair of the dog, or gussy up for craft cocktails and haute bites.
—Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Jan. 2026
Alongside letting fans treat Majima like a Ken doll by fashioning his outfits, hairstyles, makeup, and jewelry, the game allows players to customize and gussy up his sea vessel.
—Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
This luxe velvet Jennifer Behr Velvet Bow Barrette is classic enough to pair with jeans and a white tee, but can easily gussy up a nap dress with a clip of its barrette (no behind-the-head, blind-tying necessary).
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 27 Sep. 2024
Our readers offered their hacks to gussy up a frozen pizza and tips to make it from scratch.
—Tejal Rao, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Took several payments of $350,000—to gussy up China’s image in the West.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 14 July 2023
For a condiment upgrade, gussy up a bottle of ketchup with tahini.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 14 June 2023
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
But why is Nvidia voluntarily forfeiting an accounting maneuver that helps companies gussy up their results?
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026
Multiple, vastly different environments offer a choose-your-own adventure of a stay: Stumble out of bed late and hit the pool chairs for some sun and hair of the dog, or gussy up for craft cocktails and haute bites.
—Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Jan. 2026
Alongside letting fans treat Majima like a Ken doll by fashioning his outfits, hairstyles, makeup, and jewelry, the game allows players to customize and gussy up his sea vessel.
—Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
This luxe velvet Jennifer Behr Velvet Bow Barrette is classic enough to pair with jeans and a white tee, but can easily gussy up a nap dress with a clip of its barrette (no behind-the-head, blind-tying necessary).
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 27 Sep. 2024
Our readers offered their hacks to gussy up a frozen pizza and tips to make it from scratch.
—Tejal Rao, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Took several payments of $350,000—to gussy up China’s image in the West.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 14 July 2023
For a condiment upgrade, gussy up a bottle of ketchup with tahini.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 14 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gussy up
Verb
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Cakes big and small are the ideal stage for your wildest decorating dreams.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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Each of the suites are decorated with the same Mediterranean style and have private patios and balconies perfect for watching the sunset.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The old-fashioned accent has recently gained a newfound popularity of late—particularly creative people are even adorning their lamps with brooches.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
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The star opted for a jaw-dropping gown by Ashi Studio that featured an ivory corseted bodice adorned with twisted tendrils of dark hair.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gussy up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gussy%20up. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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