English

Alternative forms

• window-dressing

Noun

window dressing ‎(usually uncountable, plural window dressings)

1. The decorative display of retail merchandise in store windows
2. The goods and trimmings used in such display
3. (idiomatic, 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.

   • 2011 December 14, Angelique Chrisafis, “Rachida Dati accuses French PM of sexism and elitism”, in Guardian:

     Meanwhile, the left is deliberately running more ethnically diverse candidates in the parliamentary elections next year, claiming Sarkozy's one-time "rainbow" cabinet of racially diverse women had turned out to be window dressing.

Synonyms

• (decorative display): shop window
• (idiomatic): eyewash