I. transitive verb
Etymology: dress (I) + up
1.
a. : to attire in best or formal clothes
dressed the child up for the birthday party
b. : to attire in clothes suited to a particular role
dressed him up for the part of Othello
2. : to present or cause to appear in a certain light (as by distortion, exaggeration, or padding) : disguise , camouflage
some conservative newspapers have tried to dress up the delegation as treachery to democracy — New Republic
accounting devices for dressing up the balance sheet — Albert Lepawsky
especially : to embellish or enhance the interest of (an event or account) with supplementary usually fanciful details
a remarkable feat of bodily exertion, which … he should be able to dress up and magnify — George Eliot
II. transitive verb
: to make more attractive, impressive, or fancy especially by adding accessories or enhancements
a plain outfit dressed up with a gilt mesh belt