dress
IPA: drˈɛs
noun
- (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.
- (archaic) 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.
- (uncountable)
- Apparel or clothing, especially when appropriate for a particular occasion, profession, etc.
- (archaic) The act of putting on clothes, especially fashionable ones, or for a particular (especially formal) occasion.
- (by extension)
- The external covering of an animal (for example, the feathers of a bird) or an object.
- The appearance of an object after it has undergone some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use; finish.
- (figuratively) The external appearance of something, especially if intended to give a positive impression; garb, guise.
- (archaic, historical) The system of furrows on the face of a millstone.
- (obsolete) The act of applying a dressing to or otherwise treating a wound; also, the dressing so applied.
- (film, television, theater) Ellipsis of dress rehearsal. [A rehearsal prior to a public spectacle, where all the performers are in costume, in order to test all aspects of the production by closely reproducing the actual conditions of a performance.]
verb
- (transitive)
- (also reflexive and figuratively) To put clothes (or, formerly, armour) on (oneself or someone, a doll, a mannequin, etc.); to clothe.
- (specifically) To attire (oneself or someone) for a particular (especially formal) occasion, or in a fashionable manner.
- To design, make, provide, or select clothes (for someone).
- To arrange or style (someone's hair).
- (also figuratively) To adorn or ornament (something).
- To arrange a display of goods in, or to decorate (a shop or shop window).
- (nautical) To ornament (a ship) by hoisting the national colours at the peak and mastheads, and setting the jack forward; when "dressed full", the signal flags and pennants are added.
- 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.
- To prepare, treat, or curry (animal hide or leather).
- To prepare the surface of (a material, usually lumber or stone).
- (historical or England, regional) To remove chaff or impurities from (flour, grain, etc.) by bolting or sifting, winnowing, and other methods.
- (fishing) To prepare (an artificial fly) to be attached to a fish hook.
- (agriculture, horticulture) To cultivate or tend to (a garden, land, plants, etc.); especially, to add fertilizer or manure to (soil); to fertilize, to manure.
- (butchering) To cut up (an animal or its flesh) for food.
- (cooking) To prepare (food) for cooking or eating, especially by seasoning it; specifically, to add a dressing or sauce (to food, especially a salad).
- (film, television, theater)
- To design, make, or prepare costumes (for a play or other performance); also, to present (a production) in a particular costume style.
- To prepare (a set) by installing the props, scenery, etc.
- (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.
- (Northern England, archaic) 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.
- (obsolete) To break in and train (a horse or other animal) for use.
- (reflexive, intransitive, obsolete) To prepare (oneself); to make ready.
- (intransitive)
- To put on clothes.
- (specifically) To attire oneself for a particular (especially formal) occasion, or in a fashionable manner.
- Of a thing: to attain a certain condition after undergoing some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use.
- (euphemistic, chiefly in the tailoring context) To allow one's penis to fall to one side or the other within one's trousers.
- (butchering) 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.
- (military, sometimes imperative as a drill command) 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.
- (slang) Ellipsis of cross-dress. [To wear clothes typically associated with the opposite sex.]
Advertisement
Examples of "dress" in Sentences
- The girls dress in scant clothing.
- The style of the dress is always the same.
- Dressing in clothing of the opposite gender.
- In Haiti, the quadrille dress is called a Karabela dress.
- The normal dress of the dancers is as formal as the dance.
- The Aloha shirt is a style of dress shirt originating in Hawaii.
- Duergar usually dress in drab clothing that matches the color of stone.
- The girl is clad in an old style dress resembling the trend of sixties.
- They came in groups and single file, dressed in generally natty street clothes.
- A Yemeni dress designer, said that Yemeni women vacillate between traditional and modern styles.