dress rehearsal

noun

Synonyms of dress rehearsalnext
1
: a full rehearsal (as of a play) in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance
2
: a practice exercise for something to come : dry run

Examples of dress rehearsal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Treat Colorado as the dress rehearsal, not the sideshow. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 Think of the test cake as the dress rehearsal—one last chance to make any tweaks before showtime. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026 These events were staging posts on a five-year journey to the World Cup, with last summer’s Club World Cup the final dress rehearsal. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 5 June 2026 Dara performing during a dress rehearsal in Vienna on Saturday. — Andrew Jones, NBC news, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress rehearsal

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dress rehearsal was in 1812

Rhymes for dress rehearsal

See All Rhymes for dress rehearsal

Browse Nearby Words

dress pattern
dress rehearsal
dress shield
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dress rehearsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dress%20rehearsal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dress rehearsal

noun
: a rehearsal of a play in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance

More from Merriam-Webster on dress rehearsal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dress rehearsal

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