window dressing
The decorative display of retail merchandise in store windowsThe decorative display of retail merchandise in store windows; the goods and trimmings used in such a display.
» The reduced price of luxury goods is just window dressing to make the new consumption tax look better.
Meaning
3 senses(countable, uncountable)The decorative display of retail merchandise in store windows; the goods and trimmings used in such a display.
Schaufensterdekoration, Schaufensterdeko
(uncountable)The process, skill or task of creating such a display.
(figuratively, uncountable)A means of creating a deceptively favourable impression of something or someone; something for appearance only.
These latest modifications are mere window dressing; the same problems remain.
Augenwischerei, Schönfärberei
очковтирательствоočkovtiratelʹstvo
- the decoration of shop windows
- a showy misrepresentation intended to conceal something unpleasant
Examples
2 sentencesThe reduced price of luxury goods is just window dressing to make the new consumption tax look better.
The claim of community involvement is just window dressing; City Hall will do what it wants to anyhow.
Translations
3 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
Forms
plural: window dressingsSynonyms
3 synonyms- a showy misrepresentation intended to conceal something unpleasant:facade
Word family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable