doll up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, slightly dated.
Quick answer
What does “doll up” mean?
To dress (oneself or another) smartly, stylishly, or with special attention to appearance, often with the implication of being showy or overly decorated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To dress (oneself or another) smartly, stylishly, or with special attention to appearance, often with the implication of being showy or overly decorated.
To decorate or embellish something to make it look more attractive or appealing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally used in both varieties, though perhaps perceived as slightly more old-fashioned in the UK. The American variant "gussy up" is a near-synonym less common in the UK.
Connotations
Slightly theatrical or playful; not used for serious, formal dressing. In American use, it may have a slightly broader application to objects.
Frequency
Moderately common in informal spoken language in both regions. More frequent in women's magazines, lifestyle contexts, and older conversational styles.
Grammar
How to Use “doll up” in a Sentence
[Sb] dolls [O] up[Sb] gets dolled up[Sb] is/are all dolled upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doll up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She's dolling herself up for the theatre.
- We dolled the pub up with fairy lights for the wedding.
- He got himself dolled up in a new suit for the interview.
American English
- She dolled up for her big date.
- Let's doll the patio up with some lanterns for the barbecue.
- He's all dolled up in his cowboy boots.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She looked all dolled up and ready to go.
- The café was dolled up for Christmas.
American English
- You're all dolled up—where are you headed?
- The venue was dolled up with ribbons and flowers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Common in informal talk about getting ready for social events (parties, dates, nights out).
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doll up”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Incorrect preposition: 'doll up to the party' (correct: 'doll up FOR the party').
- Using it for routine dressing: 'I dolled up for work' sounds odd unless the job is very glamorous.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most commonly used for women. It can be used for men, often humorously or to imply they made an unusually decorative effort.
Yes. You can doll up a room, a car, a website, etc., meaning to decorate or embellish it.
It is strictly informal and conversational. Do not use it in formal writing or speech.
'Dress up' is more general (e.g., dress up for Halloween, dress up in a suit). 'Doll up' specifically implies making oneself or something look attractively decorated, often with a sense of being showy, fancy, or prettified.
To dress (oneself or another) smartly, stylishly, or with special attention to appearance, often with the implication of being showy or overly decorated.
Doll up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɒl ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɑːl ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “all dolled up to the nines”
- “dolled up to kill”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine putting fancy clothes and makeup on a DOLL to make it pretty. 'Doll up' means doing the same for yourself.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSON IS A DOLL (a decorative object to be adorned).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'doll up' correctly?