dress

Meaning

Verb

1. (also, figuratively, reflexive, transitive) To put clothes (or, formerly, armour) on (oneself or someone, a doll, a mannequin, etc.); to clothe.
2. (also, figuratively, reflexive, specifically, transitive) To put clothes (or, formerly, armour) on (oneself or someone, a doll, a mannequin, etc.); to clothe.
3. (transitive) To design, make, provide, or select clothes (for someone).
4. (transitive) To arrange or style (someone's hair).
5. (also, figuratively, transitive) To adorn or ornament (something).
6. (also, figuratively, transitive) To adorn or ornament (something).
7. (also, figuratively, transitive) To adorn or ornament (something).
8. (transitive) To apply a dressing to or otherwise treat (a wound); (obsolete) to give (a wounded person) medical aid.
9. (transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
10. (transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
11. (especially, transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
12. (transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
13. (England, historical, regional, transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
14. (transitive) To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
15. (transitive) To cultivate or tend to (a garden, land, plants, etc.); especially, to add fertilizer or manure to (soil); to fertilize, to manure.
16. (transitive) To cut up (an animal or its flesh) for food.
17. (transitive) To prepare (food) for cooking or eating, especially by seasoning it; specifically, to add a dressing or sauce (to food, especially a salad).
18. (transitive) To design, make, or prepare costumes (for a play or other performance); also, to present (a production) in a particular costume style.
19. (transitive) To prepare (a set) by installing the props, scenery, etc.
20. (transitive) 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.
21. (Northern-England, archaic, transitive) To treat (someone) in a particular manner; specifically, in an appropriate or fitting manner; (by extension, ironic) to give (someone) a deserved beating; also, to give (someone) a good scolding; to dress down.
22. (obsolete, transitive) To break in and train (a horse or other animal) for use.
23. (intransitive, obsolete, reflexive) To prepare (oneself); to make ready.
24. (intransitive) To put on clothes.
25. (intransitive, specifically) To put on clothes.
26. (intransitive) Of a thing: to attain a certain condition after undergoing some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use.
27. (euphemistic, intransitive) To allow one's penis to fall to one side or the other within one's trousers.
28. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, intransitive, slang) Ellipsis of cross-dress.
29. (intransitive) 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.
30. (imperative, intransitive, sometimes) Of soldiers or troops: to arrange into proper formation; especially, to form into straight lines and at a proper distance from each other.
31. (intransitive) Of a sportsperson: to put on the uniform and have the equipment needed to play a sport.

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) 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.
2. (archaic, countable, uncountable) An item of outer clothing or set of such clothes (worn by people of all sexes) which is generally decorative and appropriate for a particular occasion, profession, etc.
3. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of dress rehearsal.
4. (countable, uncountable) Apparel or clothing, especially when appropriate for a particular occasion, profession, etc.
5. (archaic, countable, uncountable) The act of putting on clothes, especially fashionable ones, or for a particular (especially formal) occasion.
6. (broadly, countable, uncountable) The external covering of an animal (for example, the feathers of a bird) or an object.
7. (broadly, countable, uncountable) The appearance of an object after it has undergone some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use; finish.
8. (broadly, countable, figuratively, uncountable) The external appearance of something, especially if intended to give a positive impression; garb, guise.
9. (archaic, broadly, countable, historical, uncountable) The system of furrows on the face of a millstone.
10. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) The act of applying a dressing to or otherwise treating a wound; also, the dressing so applied.

Opposite of

strip, undress, clothe, disrobe, get undressed

Synonyms

clothe

clothes

attire

clothing

garment

gown

apparel

garb

robe

costume

wear

suit

put on

get dressed

outfit

frock

shirt

👕

skirt

dress up

bandage

trim

decorate

array

put on clothes

coat

🧥

cook

🧑‍🍳

guise

prepare

vesture

cover

groom

raiment

garnish

full-dress

decoration

cloth

garments

prune

arrange

fit

embellish

wearing apparel

tog

clothe oneself

adorn

put on clothing

fix

plume

getup

preen

Translations

vestido

Kleid

👗

vestito

Kleidung

robe

👗

vestire

👗

vestido

habiller

👗

jurk

👗

abito

vestit

👗

anziehen

kleiden

👗

vestir

vestir

👗

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɹes/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: dressen

Cognate with French: dresser

In summary

PIE word
*dwís
The verb is from Middle English dressen, dresse (“to arrange, put in order”), from Anglo-Norman, Old French dresser, drecier (modern French dresser), from Late Latin *directiare (“to guide, direct”). Doublet of direct.
The noun is derived from the verb.

Sentences

The dress was designed by John Galliano .