How to Use preppy in a Sentence

preppy

1 of 2 noun
  • Preppies, and the preppy look, had been around for decades.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Ben went the preppy route in a brown button-down paired with simple black pants and a belt.
    Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2021
  • But Tommy Hilfiger was breaking preppy norms all the way back in the ’90s.
    Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2022
  • At the photo call for the film today, Stewart went more preppy in a red Chanel tweed two-piece set.
    Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 25 May 2022
  • On Tuesday, the model was snapped walking the streets of New York City in a look that was a dash preppy, a bit grunge, and a whole lot of cool.
    Barry Samaha, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2020
  • Tip: pair these with socks — glittery or knitted — for a retro preppy feel.
    Pema Bakshi, refinery29.com, 23 May 2022
  • The top-of-the-line kids’ wear that Maisonette sells has tended to tip towards an air of elegance and preppy cool—and would often come with a price tag to match.
    Janelle Randazza, USA TODAY, 25 June 2021
  • These have a sporty-preppy appearance that goes with most outfits.
    Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, 8 Oct. 2020
  • Just ask Olivia Rodrigo, who has made the skirt suit her preppy, punky signature.
    Steff Yotka, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2021
  • Between the oh-so-flattering silhouette, the preppy pleats, and red and blue piping along the hem, this flirty number is bound to be a hit.
    Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 24 Nov. 2022
  • What was more important to the Abercrombie essence is that by the late ’90s, the preppy-as-icon had become a signifier of the one percent.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Yang in his preppy overcoat and button-down, surrounded by a diverse crowd of scraggly haired cool kids.
    Washington Post, 1 June 2021
  • Celebrity spectators are known to dress to the nines for the games, bringing forward their most polished—and preppy—ensembles for the occasion.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 June 2022
  • But the preppy as signifier, as advertising icon, as the image of who everyone wanted to be didn’t come to the fore until the 1980s.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Cargoes hit an improbable sweet spot of preppy, punk, and skater culture.
    Gilad Edelman, Wired, 18 Aug. 2021
  • On one side, a large audience pressed around a group of preppy-looking young men wearing plaid shirts, windbreakers, khakis, and sunglasses.
    Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2021
  • Some are cropped cardigans destined to be slung over a high-rise, baggy jean; others are chunky crewnecks for preppy layering over crisp shirting.
    Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Aug. 2022
  • The actress curated a selection of her favorite picks in all categories from the brand and walked into the fete in a look that gave a nod to both preppy '90s fashion and motocross-meets-rocker style.
    Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Dec. 2022
  • Case in point: Prince George sported a preciously preppy striped sweater on an outing to the London Palladium with his parents and siblings.
    Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 11 Dec. 2020
  • These masks, which come in black and two different preppy patterns, are made of 100% cotton and recycled materials.
    Elizabeth Wallace, CNN Underscored, 5 Nov. 2020
  • There is a honeymoon couple played by Alexandra Daddario and Jake Lacy, who is unnervingly good as a spoiled preppy whose masculinity is threatened when they’re put in the wrong suite.
    BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2021
  • The actress was photographed out and about in Beverly Hills wearing a Versace abstract striped cardigan sweater with a white oversized shirtdress, creating a preppy, cinched silhouette.
    Shelby Ying Hyde, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Apr. 2021
  • This Carlton is completely unlike the preppy, uptight, Tom Jones-loving, jitterbugging snob of yesteryear.
    Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2022
  • The historic Maine property recently underwent a complete gut renovation to turn the outdated accommodations into a true preppy maximalist dream.
    Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 1 Sep. 2021
  • This South Florida destination has an undeniable preppy glam aesthetic.
    Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 16 June 2022
  • Preppies, and the preppy look, had been around for decades.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Ben went the preppy route in a brown button-down paired with simple black pants and a belt.
    Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2021
  • But Tommy Hilfiger was breaking preppy norms all the way back in the ’90s.
    Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2022
  • At the photo call for the film today, Stewart went more preppy in a red Chanel tweed two-piece set.
    Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 25 May 2022
  • On Tuesday, the model was snapped walking the streets of New York City in a look that was a dash preppy, a bit grunge, and a whole lot of cool.
    Barry Samaha, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2020
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preppy

2 of 2 adjective
  • Blink and Calloway is in high school, pining for the preppy glitz of the Ivy League.
    Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 22 June 2023
  • The logo patch gives it a preppy touch, but the cropped fit and ribbed sleeves are ready for sport mode.
    Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Oct. 2022
  • Pair with a crisp white button down and loafers for a preppy vibe.
    Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 1 Dec. 2022
  • Pair these with a navy blue blazer and boat shoes for a preppy look.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
  • The style—which favors white, navy, red and green—is neat, preppy and very leggy.
    Rebecca Malinsky, WSJ, 8 July 2022
  • For a classic look on the court, this tennis dress brings the preppy power.
    Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 29 July 2022
  • Throw them over a slinky tank top or preppy polo, or wear them with a silky midi skirt and over-the-knee boots.
    Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023
  • For the lunch date, Swift had on a light blue sweater, a preppy pleated skirt, and a pair of Reformation loafers, per the brand.
    Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
  • Nothing screams preppy fall like a chic pair of riding boots.
    Erika Reals Published, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2022
  • The tall, easygoing novice wore a preppy look composed of a gray sweater vest over a white T-shirt, black slacks and a pair of shiny black shoes.
    Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2023
  • Founded over 125 years ago, the buzzy retail chain was known back in the day for its preppy clothing and logo tees.
    Brittany Natale, Woman's Day, 20 June 2023
  • All of those preppy, good-boy undertones are out the window.
    Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2022
  • The three-quarter button down style gives the top a slice of preppy, tomboy-ish flair that meshes well with Holmes’ trainers.
    Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
  • Coastal grandmother style is beachy and preppy, but laid back.
    Vivi Smilgius, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2023
  • Pepper, who is fifty-one, looked boyish and preppy in a polo shirt.
    Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2022
  • Powell wore a crisp blue ensemble and Sweeney wore a preppy black minidress for the stylish outing.
    Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023
  • Even fashion’s cool kids have taken to tinkering with the staid codes of preppy style.
    Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2022
  • Style with simple jewelry, a good pair of jeans, and loafers for a polished, preppy feel.
    Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2023
  • Made from a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex, the super-lightweight frock comes in navy and pink, adding a preppy twist with a collar.
    Teddy Minford, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2023
  • The plates were the jumping-off point for everything in this preppy and sweet dining room designed by Cara Fox.
    Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 21 Nov. 2022
  • Why, argyle, of course — that preppy pattern found on socks and sweaters, and an apt name for the latest kooky spy caper from Matthew Vaughn.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
  • The next image showed the pair on a golf course, looking preppy casual on the green under blue skies and full sunshine.
    Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 2 June 2023
  • At Dsquared2, they were shown colors and prints and layered, Kenzo’s were preppy and monochrome.
    Irene Kim, Vogue, 9 July 2022
  • To steal her preppy-chic look, wear your long, blonde hair down and make sure to carry around a designer handbag at all times.
    Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 6 June 2022
  • There’s a reason she was cast as a popular, preppy type in her two first major roles.
    Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
  • Trucker hat, chill but with a gown, diamonds, and preppy.
    Kyle Lamar Rice, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023
  • The quaint check pattern reads modern instead of country cottage thanks to the preppy lime green and turquoise accents.
    Molly Miller, House Beautiful, 21 June 2023
  • Refresh your office button-down with this style from the beloved preppy brand Vineyard Vines.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024
  • Sydney Sweeney is bringing back headbands, and not in a preppy Blair Waldorf way.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Oct. 2023
  • Hadid threw the preppy shirt over a black crop top, teaching us a lesson in low-key layering.
    Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preppy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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