dress 1 of 3

noun

Definition of dressnext
1
as in gown
a garment with a joined blouse and skirt usually worn by a woman or girl what a lovely dress you're wearing today!

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2
as in costume
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a bagpiper in full Scottish Highlander dress

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3
as in clothes
covering for the human body a businessman who is very conservative in his dress

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4
as in look
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality another version of the Cinderella story but in modern-romance dress

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dress

2 of 3

adjective

as in formal
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners the naval commander wore his dress uniform to the ball

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dress

3 of 3

verb

ˈdres How to pronounce dress (audio)
1
as in to bandage
to cover with a bandage first wash and then dress the wound

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2
as in to decorate
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming let's dress up the room with some greenery for the holiday party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure dress the granite block to be used as the headstone on all four sides

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to costume
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes dressed the young girl in satin and lace

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5
as in to clothe
to put on one's best or formal clothes we don't usually dress for dinner

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6
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care dress the beans by applying fertilizer once a week

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dress
Noun
Pick up our most coveted finds below to instantly elevate everything from jeans to dresses (and to give yourself an excuse to book that pedicure). — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 July 2026 The cameras follow her through dress fittings, brief interactions with the president and preparations for her return to the White House. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
He had been dressed as a woman among the king’s daughters in order to avoid participating in the Trojan War and ultimately his fate to die a young heroic death, as opposed to a long life of obscurity. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026 The celebration unfolded in one of Lapérouse’s intimate salons, L’Astrolabe, where the table was dressed in a romantic, candlelit style that matched the post-Cannes mood. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress
  1. gown
  2. costume
  3. clothing
  4. look
  5. formal
  6. bandage
  7. decorate
  8. polish
Noun
  • Swift—dressed in a custom Christian Dior wedding gown—reportedly read her lengthy vows from a gold book, bringing Kelce to tears, per NBC News.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls and was paired with a cathedral veil.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of gown
Noun
  • For those who love a ‘50s feel but prefer not to resemble a costume from the Spirit Halloween catalog, the On 34th minidress has that nostalgic look with a contemporary feel.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • McDaniel had purchased multiple superhero and supervillain costumes from overseas that were delivered to the two addresses, the affidavit said, citing customs records.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • Surveillance cameras captured a person dressed in dark clothing on a nearby roof overlooking the courtyard less than ten minutes before the killing, prosecutors said in charging documents.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The same goes for discovering petite-friendly clothing brands with styles that not only fit, but also flatter shorter frames.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026
Definition of clothing
Noun
  • The Quince pair boasts 1-inch platforms that quite literally elevate every look.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
  • Recreating the look is easy at Quince, where smart trousers and shirts are available in similar colors and materials that channel the same laid-back aesthetic.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of look
Adjective
  • Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The impression was bolstered Friday afternoon when dozens of A-list celebrities were seen heading into the venue in formal wear, from Karlie Kloss and Hugh Grant to Jason Sudeikis and Chris Jones.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of formal
Verb
  • Pino is seen in the footage shirtless, in shorts and with his head bandaged.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
  • Trump has frequently appeared in public throughout his second term with visible bruising on his hands, which have sometimes been bandaged.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 12 May 2026
Definition of bandage
Verb
  • This disaccharide is found decorating the cells of nonprimate mammals, including cows and pigs, but it’s also released in the saliva of ticks, particularly the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
  • The Cafe Orleans trees are decorated with seasonal decor during the Mardi Gras season.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
Definition of decorate
Verb
  • Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Wear it with flat sandals for a beachfront dinner or add wedges and simple jewelry for an outfit that feels polished enough for a special occasion.
    — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Definition of polish

Phrases Containing dress

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drenching
dress
dress down
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Cite this Entry

“Dress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dress

Nglish: Translation of dress for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dress

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