# dandy

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdæn.di/ · frequency rank #20,898

## Definitions
1. A man very concerned about his physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self.
2. Something excellent in its class.
3. A yawl, or a small after-sail on a yawl.
4. A dandy roller.
5. A small glass of whisky.
6. A horse-drawn railway carriage used on some branch lines.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Scots dandy (“a fop; one who is well-dressed”). Of uncertain origin.
Possibly from Dandy, a diminutive of Andrew, yet the Scots word is used also in reference to women. Alternatively, possibly a back-formation of Scots dandilly, dandillie (“one who is spoiled or pampered; a "pet"”). Compare English dandle and dander.

## Easily confused with
- **day** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-day)
- **deny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-deny)
- **dang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dang)
- **Dane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dane)
- **Dani** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dani)
- **Dans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dans)
- **dank** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dank)
- **Davy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-davy)
- **Danny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-danny)
- **Dante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dante)
- **Davey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-davey)
- **Darcy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-darcy)
- **Donny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-donny)
- **Danes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-danes)
- **darby** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-darby)
- **diddy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-diddy)
- **dingy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dingy)
- **dinky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dandy-vs-dinky)
- **dad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dad-vs-dandy)
- **dan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dan-vs-dandy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`adndy`, `dadny`, `danddy`, `dandyy`, `danndy`, `danyd`, `ddandy`, `dnady`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dandy