dressed up like vs dressed up as

Both 'dressed up like' and 'dressed up as' are commonly used phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Dressed up like' is used when describing someone's appearance or clothing that resembles another person or character, while 'dressed up as' is used when someone is wearing a costume to imitate or portray a specific person or character.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 134 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when describing someone's appearance or clothing that resembles another person or character.

"dressed up like"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone's outfit or appearance is similar to that of another person or character.

Examples:

She was dressed up like a movie star for the costume party.
He was dressed up like a cowboy with his hat and boots.
The children were dressed up like superheroes for Halloween.
The actor was dressed up like a historical figure for the play.
She was dressed up like her favorite singer for the concert.

Show examples from the web [+]

When did watching a six-year-old dressed up like a wise man...
That's why I'm dressed up like an Inuit.
Please tell me you dressed up like a beaver.
I once dressed up like the Muffin Man for Halloween.
So juliet dressed up like serena At saints and sinners to destroy her relationships With me and nate.
I thought when you dressed up like a young girl...
Charles would walk around town dressed up like Long John Silver.
Instead of getting dressed up like the Queen's butler.
He's dressed up like one of the followers.
Look at him, he's all dressed up like a little circus monkey.
But to Iris and to everybody else, I'll always just be that racist guy who dressed up like Lil Wayne.
Dude, he is sitting at home dressed up like Dolly Parton singing show tunes.
I admit that I've worn some flamboyant designer outfits, but I've never dressed up like a woman.
Hell, maybe Davidson dressed up like a limo driver and planted the drugs himself.
I'm the other guy who dressed up like a lady and snuck into the lifeboat.
Someone dressed up like the deceased, representing her on special occasions, settling her affairs.
You know, I never dated a guy before who dressed up like a weird semi-robot to protect me.
Look who's out of her PJ's and all dressed up like Mariska Hargitay.
But you're walking around dressed up like a USC cornerback on draft day.
I don't need an ethics lesson from a nut dressed up like a bat.

Alternatives:

dressed similar to
dressed in the style of
dressed resembling
dressed akin to
dressed mirroring

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when someone is wearing a costume to imitate or portray a specific person or character.

"dressed up as"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is wearing a costume to imitate or portray a specific person or character.

Examples:

She was dressed up as a witch for Halloween.
He was dressed up as a pirate for the costume party.
The actor was dressed up as a clown for the circus performance.
The children were dressed up as their favorite cartoon characters for the parade.
She was dressed up as a famous historical figure for the school presentation.

Show examples from the web [+]

Aaron dressed up as cecil the caterpillar.
That's your dad dressed up as a Roman Centurion.
You dressed up as Ricketts too?
So somebody else dressed up as Lone Vengeance and killed our victim?
Come on, Charles, they're just boys dressed up as soldiers.
You saw my men dressed up as bandits.
The zombies dressed up as the townspeople.
That DMV clerk is dressed up as a vampire for Halloween.
So I dressed up as a prison guard.
Can't imagine Daddy dressed up as a fortune teller.
Oliver Reed never dressed up as a goblin.
Or it was someone dressed up as a large plant.
We both dressed up as zombies.
I dressed up as a skeleton once in my youth.
I dressed up as him for Halloween.
Then comes doctor Spaziani, the head of the personnel office, all dressed up as a colonel.
He dressed up as a groom for Halloween ever year six years in a row.
If you dressed up as a Brownie in front of everyone, you're not scared of Jeremy Paxman.
It is just another urchin our aunt has plucked from the street and dressed up as a prince.
Witnesses say that at the time of the murder they saw someone dressed up as St. Nicholas.

Alternatives:

costumed as
attired as
disguised as
masquerading as
impersonating as

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

dressed up like vs dressed up as

"dressed up like"

"dressed up as"

2. Submit Your Text

3. Receive Your Polished Text