froufrou

Fussy decorative excess

Froufrou is showy, frilly ornamentation—the kind of excessive decorative detail found on elaborate dresses, fancy packaging, or fussy décor.

The word imitates the rustling sound of silk and lace.

It often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting something is all style and no substance: I wanted something simple, not all that froufrou.

As an adjective: a froufrou wedding cake.

ornamental

frill

Superfluous adornment

  • rufflePleated fabric edging
  • flounceOrnamental gathered fabric strip
  • laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric

trimming · embellishment · adornment · tassel · beading · sequins · ribbon · bow · rosette · pleat

frivolous

frippery

Showy, worthless adornment

whimsy · fanciful · insubstantial · trifling · lightness · silliness · giddiness · caprice · trumpery · inconsequential

fancy

elaborate

Complex and detailed

over-the-top · rococo · baroque · fussy · frilly · overwrought · decorative · embellished · gaudy · flamboyant

sound

rustle

Soft crackling sound

swoosh · crinkle · murmur · tinkling · petticoat · silk · taffeta · crinoline · skirt · bustle

Categories
Opposites
ornamentation/decoration

froufrouplain

Basic and unremarkable

simple · unadorned · minimalist · austere · spare

aesthetic seriousness/substance

froufrouaustere

Severely simple and unadorned

severe · substantive · serious · functional · utilitarian

seriousness/substance

froufrousubstantial

Of notable size or importance

serious · practical · no-nonsense · businesslike · sober

Family

frou-frou

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G