frou-frou

A woman's frou-frou dress rustles as she walks.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rustling sound: "frou-frou" refers to a soft, rustling noise, especially that made by silk or other fine fabrics when moved or worn.
   • Excessive ornamentation or affectation: In informal American usage, "frou-frou" denotes overly elaborate, showy, or pretentious decoration or behavior.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The frou-frou of her silk gown filled the ballroom. (The rustling sound of her dress as she walked.)
  • The wedding decorations were full of frou-frou, with ribbons and lace everywhere. (Excessive, showy ornamentation.)

Advanced Usage

• "Frou-frou" as a modifier: Though primarily a noun, it can be used attributively to describe something characterized by rustling or fussy decoration.
  • She wore a frou-frou skirt that rustled with every step. (A skirt that makes a rustling sound.)
  • The frou-frou style of the room felt overwhelming. (A style marked by excessive ornamentation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Frou-frou (adj, informal): overly decorative or fussy in style.
  • The dress was too frou-frou for her taste. (Too elaborate and showy.)

Synonyms

• Rustle: a soft, crackling sound, like that of leaves or fabric.
• Frills: decorative trimmings or unnecessary additions.
• Fussiness: excessive attention to detail or ornamentation.

Related Idioms

• Frou-frou and frills: a phrase referring to fancy, decorative elements, often dismissively.
  • The proposal was all frou-frou and frills, with no substance. (Overly decorative but lacking solid content.)

Note on Usage

• The word "frou-frou" is often used with a slightly dismissive or humorous tone, suggesting that the sound or decoration is frivolous or excessive. It is most common in literary or informal contexts.