Dress Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 5, 2024
Dress generally refers to a one-piece garment for women or girls, covering the body and extending down over the legs, often worn on formal occasions. e.g., She wore a beautiful dress to the wedding.
Table of Contents
Dress Definitions
A garment for women or girls, typically covering the body from the shoulders to the legs.
Her floral dress was perfect for spring.
To apply a covering or bandage.
The nurse dressed the wound carefully.
To arrange or groom oneself to look presentable.
She dressed carefully for the interview.
To garnish or decorate food.
He dressed the salad with vinaigrette.
The act of clothing and grooming oneself.
Dressing in the morning is part of her routine.
To attire or outfit someone or something.
The stylist dressed the actors for the scene.
To put clothes on; clothe.
To furnish with clothing.
To decorate or adorn
Dress a Christmas tree.
To garnish
Dressed the side dish with parsley.
To arrange a display in
Dress a store window.
To arrange (troops) in ranks; align.
To apply medication, bandages, or other therapeutic materials to (a wound).
To arrange and groom (the hair), as by styling, combing, or washing.
To groom (an animal); curry.
To fertilize (land or plants).
(Archaic) To cultivate (land or plants).
To clean (fish or fowl) for cooking or sale.
To put a finish on (stone or wood, for example).
To tan or prepare (a hide) in leather-making.
To put on clothes.
To wear clothes of a certain kind or style
Dresses casually.
To wear formal clothes
Dress for dinner.
To get into proper alignment with others
The troops dressed on the squad leader.
Clothing; apparel.
A style of clothing
Folk dancers in peasant dress.
A one-piece outer garment consisting of a skirt and bodice.
Outer covering or appearance; guise
An ancient ritual in modern dress.
Suitable for formal occasions
Dress shoes.
Requiring formal clothes
A dress dinner.
(transitive)
To put clothes (or, formerly, armour) on (oneself or someone, a doll, a mannequin, etc.); to clothe.
He was dressed in the latest fashions.
To design, make, provide, or select clothes (for someone).
The fashion designer was proud to have dressed the queen for the charity event.
To arrange or style (someone's hair).
To adorn or ornament (something).
It was time to dress the windows for Christmas again.
To apply a dressing to or otherwise treat (a wound); (obsolete) to give (a wounded person) medical aid.
To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
In mining and metallurgy, to dress ores by sorting and separating them
To cultivate or tend to (a garden, land, plants, etc.); especially, to add fertilizer or manure to (soil); to fertilize, to manure.
To cut up (an animal or its flesh) for food; specifically (hunting), to remove the internal organs (of a game animal) shortly after it has been killed so that the carcass cools more quickly; to field dress.
(cooking) To prepare (food) for cooking or eating, especially by seasoning it; specifically, to add a dressing or sauce (to food, especially a salad).
(military) To arrange (soldiers or troops) into proper formation; especially, to adjust (soldiers or troops) into straight lines and at a proper distance from each other; to align.
To dress the ranks
To treat (someone) in a particular manner; specifically, in an appropriate or fitting manner; to give (someone) a deserved beating; also, to give (someone) a good scolding; to dress down.
(obsolete) To break in and train (a horse or other animal) for use.
To prepare (oneself); to make ready.
(intransitive)
To put on clothes.
Get dressed
I rose and dressed before daybreak.
It’s very cold out. Dress warm.
Of a thing: to attain a certain condition after undergoing some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use.
To allow one's penis to fall to one side or the other within one's trousers.
While measuring him for his trousers, the tailor asked him if he dressed to the left or the right.
(slang) cross-dress
Of an animal carcass: to have a certain quantity or weight after removal of the internal organs and skin; also, to have a certain appearance after being cut up and prepared for cooking.
Of soldiers or troops: to arrange into proper formation; especially, to form into straight lines and at a proper distance from each other.
(sports) Of a sportsperson: to put on the uniform and have the equipment needed to play a sport.
Due to a left ankle sprain, the basketball player did not dress for the game against Indiana.
(countable)
An item of clothing (usually worn by a woman or young girl) which both covers the upper part of the body and includes a skirt below the waist.
Amy and Mary looked very pretty in their dresses.
Ellipsis of dress rehearsal
(uncountable)
Apparel or clothing, especially when appropriate for a particular occasion, profession, etc.
Military dress
He came to the party in formal dress.
(archaic) The act of putting on clothes, especially fashionable ones, or for a particular (especially formal) occasion.
(by extension)
(obsolete) The act of applying a dressing to or otherwise treating a wound; also, the dressing so applied.
To direct; to put right or straight; to regulate; to order.
At all times thou shalt bless God and pray Him to dress thy ways.
To Grisild again will I me dresse.
To arrange in exact continuity of line, as soldiers; commonly to adjust to a straight line and at proper distance; to align; as, to dress the ranks.
To treat methodically with remedies, bandages, or curative appliances, as a sore, an ulcer, a wound, or a wounded or diseased part.
To adjust; to put in good order; to arrange; specifically: (a) To prepare for use; to fit for any use; to render suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready; as, to dress a slain animal; to dress meat; to dress leather or cloth; to dress or trim a lamp; to dress a garden; to dress a horse, by currying and rubbing; to dress grain, by cleansing it; in mining and metallurgy, to dress ores, by sorting and separating them.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it.
When he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense.
Three hundred horses . . . smoothly dressed.
Dressing their hair with the white sea flower.
If he felt obliged to expostulate, he might have dressed his censures in a kinder form.
To cut to proper dimensions, or give proper shape to, as to a tool by hammering; also, to smooth or finish.
To put in proper condition by appareling, as the body; to put clothes upon; to apparel; to invest with garments or rich decorations; to clothe; to deck.
Dressed myself in such humility.
Prove that ever Idress myself handsome till thy return.
To break and train for use, as a horse or other animal.
To arrange one's self in due position in a line of soldiers; - the word of command to form alignment in ranks; as, Dress right, dress!
To clothe or apparel one's self; to put on one's garments; to pay particular regard to dress; as, to dress quickly.
To flaunt, to dress, to dance, to thrum.
That which is used as the covering or ornament of the body; clothes; garments; habit; apparel.
A lady's gown; as, silk or a velvet dress.
Attention to apparel, or skill in adjusting it.
Men of pleasure, dress, and gallantry.
The system of furrows on the face of a millstone.
A one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
Clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion;
Formal attire
Battle dress
Clothing in general;
She was refined in her choice of apparel
He always bought his clothes at the same store
Fastidious about his dress
Put on clothes;
We had to dress quickly
Dress the patient
Can the child dress by herself?
Provide with clothes or put clothes on;
Parents must feed and dress their child
Put a finish on;
Dress the surface smooth
Dress in a certain manner;
She dresses in the latest Paris fashion
He dressed up in a suit and tie
Dress or groom with elaborate care;
She likes to dress when going to the opera
Kill and prepare for market or consumption;
Dress a turkey
Arrange in ranks;
Dress troops
Decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
Provide with decoration;
Dress the windows
Put a dressing on;
Dress the salads
Cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of;
Dress the plants in the garden
Cut down rough-hewn (lumber) to standard thickness and width
Convert into leather;
Dress the tanned skins
Apply a bandage or medication to;
Dress the victim's wounds
Give a neat appearance to;
Groom the dogs
Dress the horses
Arrange attractively;
Dress my hair for the wedding
Suitable for formal occasions;
Formal wear
A full-dress uniform
Dress shoes
(of an occasion) requiring formal clothes;
A dress dinner
A full-dress ceremony
To put on clothing.
He dressed quickly for school.
The style or manner of clothing worn.
The dress code for the event was formal.
To prepare or adorn something in a particular way.
They dressed the stage with flowers.
To clean and prepare food, especially poultry or fish.
The chef dressed the fish for cooking.
Dress Snonyms
Costume
Clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity, often as part of a performance.
The children wore costumes for the Halloween parade.
Uniform
Distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or body or by children attending certain schools.
The military uniform was crisp and well-maintained.
Robe
A long, loose outer garment.
He donned a robe after taking a shower.
Apparel
Clothing, especially when regarded as distinctively stylish or desirable.
The fashion show featured apparel from leading designers.
Garment
An item of clothing.
The museum displayed garments from the 18th century.
Ensemble
A set of clothes chosen to be worn together.
Her ensemble for the opera was both elegant and sophisticated.
Outfit
A set of clothes worn together, typically for a specific occasion.
She chose a casual outfit for the company picnic.
Attire
Clothes, especially fine or formal ones.
His wedding attire included a custom-tailored suit.
Wear
Clothing suitable for a particular occasion or purpose.
Protective wear is required for this construction site.
Frock
A woman's or girl's dress.
She wore a beautiful frock to the spring dance.
Dress Idioms & Phrases
Dress the part
To wear clothes suitable for a particular role or activity.
If you want to be a manager, you have to dress the part.
Dress down
To wear more casual or less formal clothes than usual.
On Fridays, the employees are allowed to dress down.
All dressed up and nowhere to go
Being fully prepared for an event or occasion that does not happen.
The party was canceled, and I was all dressed up and nowhere to go.
Dress to the nines
To dress very elegantly and stylishly.
They were all dressed to the nines for the gala.
Dress circle
A premium seating area in a theater, often with an excellent view of the stage.
For the premiere, we had seats in the dress circle.
Dress for success
To wear clothes that will make you look successful and confident.
She always dresses for success at business meetings.
Address the dressing
To give attention to the finer details or finishing touches.
Before presenting, she addressed the dressing by adjusting her outfit.
Dress to impress
To wear clothes intended to attract attention and admiration.
For the job interview, he decided to dress to impress.
Window dressing
Something that is intended to make something else seem more attractive or appealing.
The company's commitment to sustainability was just window dressing to attract investors.
Dress someone down
To reprimand someone severely.
The coach dressed the team down for their lackluster performance.
Dress for the weather
To wear clothes suitable for the current weather conditions.
It's snowing outside, so be sure to dress for the weather.
Mutton dressed as lamb
An older person trying to look younger by dressing in a style that is more suitable for someone younger.
With her trendy outfit, she looked like mutton dressed as lamb.
Dress blues
A formal blue uniform worn by members of the military or other services.
The soldiers wore their dress blues for the ceremonial parade.
Dress rehearsal
A full-scale practice before the real performance, with all costumes and equipment.
The final dress rehearsal went smoothly, promising a great opening night.
Put on one's best dress
To wear one's finest clothing for a special occasion.
She put on her best dress for her graduation ceremony.
Dress the salad
To add dressing or seasoning to a salad.
Just before serving, he dressed the salad with olive oil and vinegar.
Dress-up game
An activity, often for children, involving dressing in costumes or special outfits.
The children played a dress-up game, pretending to be characters from their favorite show.
Dress the wound
To apply a protective covering or bandage to a wound.
The nurse carefully dressed the wound after the surgery.
Dress code
A set of rules specifying the required attire for an event or location.
The invitation stated that the event had a strict dress code.
Dress smart
To wear clothes that are stylish and presentable.
Even on casual days, he makes an effort to dress smart.
Dress Example Sentences
Every morning, he dresses before breakfast.
The company's dress policy is quite casual.
She learned how to dress a wound in first aid class.
He dressed smartly for his first job interview.
She chose a red dress for the concert.
She admired the elegant dress in the store window.
For the play, they dressed the set in 1920s style.
She loves dressing up for special occasions.
The chef showed them how to dress a chicken.
She practices dressing herself independently.
Her favorite activity is dressing her dolls.
He quickly dressed after his morning workout.
Dad dressed the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
He dressed the salad before serving.
They dressed the windows with new curtains.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide dress into syllables?
As a single syllable word, "dress" is not divided into syllables.
What is a stressed syllable in dress?
In "dress," the single syllable is stressed.
What is the verb form of dress?
"Dress" itself is both a noun and a verb.
How is dress used in a sentence?
Example: "She wore an elegant dress to the party."
What is the first form of dress?
The first form (base form) of "dress" as a verb is "dress."
What is the pronunciation of dress?
Dress is pronounced as /drɛs/.
Why is it called dress?
"Dress" comes from the Old French "drecier," meaning to prepare, arrange, or put straight, later evolving to mean clothing that is arranged or put on the body.
How many syllables are in dress?
There is one syllable in "dress."
What is the second form of dress?
The second form (past simple) of "dress" as a verb is "dressed."
What is the singular form of dress?
The singular form is "dress."
Is dress an abstract noun?
"Dress" is a concrete noun, referring to a physical item of clothing.
Which vowel is used before dress?
The use of a vowel before "dress" depends on the context and the preceding word.
What is the root word of dress?
The root word of "dress" is from the Old French "drecier."
What is the third form of dress?
The third form (past participle) of "dress" as a verb is "dressed."
What part of speech is dress?
"Dress" can be both a noun and a verb.
What is the opposite of dress?
The opposite of "dress" as a verb could be "undress" or "disrobe."
Is dress a negative or positive word?
"Dress" is neutral; it is neither inherently negative nor positive.
Is dress a vowel or consonant?
"Dress" is a word, not a single vowel or consonant.
Is dress a countable noun?
Yes, "dress" is a countable noun.
Is the dress term a metaphor?
"Dress" can be used metaphorically in certain contexts.
Is the word dress Gerund?
The gerund form of "dress" as a verb is "dressing."
Is the word “dress” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Dress" as a noun can be a direct object, as in "She bought a dress."
Which determiner is used with dress?
Determiners like "the," "a," or "that" can be used with "dress."
Which conjunction is used with dress?
Conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or" can be used with "dress."
What is the plural form of dress?
The plural form is "dresses."
Is dress a noun or adjective?
"Dress" is primarily a noun and also used as a verb.
Is dress an adverb?
No, "dress" is not an adverb.
Which preposition is used with dress?
Prepositions like "in," "with," or "of" can be used with "dress."
Which article is used with dress?
The articles "the," "a," or "an" can be used with "dress," depending on the context.
What is another term for dress?
Another term for "dress" as a noun is "gown" or "garment."
Is dress a collective noun?
No, "dress" is not a collective noun.
Is the word dress imperative?
"Dress" can be used in the imperative form as a verb, as in "Dress quickly."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
