sunday best: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 - Low frequency, idiomatic, culturally embedded.Informal, colloquial; used in narrative, descriptive, and humorous contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sunday best” mean?
One's finest clothing, reserved for special occasions or formal events, historically worn to church on Sundays.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One's finest clothing, reserved for special occasions or formal events, historically worn to church on Sundays.
Metaphorically used to describe something presented in its most polished, impressive, or formal state, not limited to clothing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally common and understood in both varieties. The cultural reference to dressing for church on Sunday remains potent in both, though perhaps slightly more nostalgic.
Connotations
Both share core connotations of formality and tradition. May evoke a sense of old-fashioned propriety.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Possibly more likely to be used literally by older speakers, and metaphorically by younger speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “sunday best” in a Sentence
[Subject] wear/wears/wore [Possessive] Sunday best[Subject] is/are dressed in [Possessive] Sunday best[Subject] put on [Possessive] Sunday best[Subject] brought out [Possessive] Sunday bestVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunday best” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The villagers all turned out in their Sunday best for the fete.
- He kept his Sunday best carefully hung in the wardrobe.
American English
- She told the kids to put on their Sunday best for the family photo.
- His Sunday best was a suit he'd owned for twenty years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The company brought out its Sunday best for the investor presentation.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical, sociological, or cultural studies discussing dress customs.
Everyday
Common in descriptive conversation: 'The whole family was in their Sunday best for the wedding.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunday best”
- Using 'Sundays best' (incorrect pluralisation).
- Using it as an uncountable noun without 'your'/'their' (e.g., 'He wore Sunday best').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, metaphorically. You can talk about a company's 'Sunday best' (its most impressive products/performance) or someone's 'Sunday best manners' (their most polite behaviour).
Historically, yes. In modern usage, the religious connection is often secondary. It primarily means 'best and most formal clothes for any important occasion'.
It is treated as an uncountable noun phrase. You do not say 'Sunday bests'. It is almost always used with a possessive determiner: my/your/his/her/their Sunday best.
'Formal attire', 'best clothes', or 'finery'. 'Glad rags' is a more informal, slightly old-fashioned synonym with a similar feel.
One's finest clothing, reserved for special occasions or formal events, historically worn to church on Sundays.
Sunday best: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈbest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈbest/ or /ˌsʌn.di ˈbest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In your Sunday best”
- “All dressed up in your Sunday best”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the SUN shining on your BEST clothes on a Sunday morning.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMALITY/SERIOUSNESS IS SPECIAL OCCASION ATTIRE; CARE/PREPARATION IS PUTTING ON FINE CLOTHES.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following situations most accurately describes using your 'Sunday best'?