gown

gown

noun \ˈgau̇n\

: a long, formal dress that a woman wears especially during a special event

: a loose piece of clothing that covers most of the body

: a loose piece of clothing that is worn over other clothes during an official event by a judge, a priest, a student, etc.

Full Definition of GOWN

1

a :  a loose flowing outer garment formerly worn by men

b :  a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person

c :  a woman's dress

d (1) :  dressing gown (2) :  nightgown

e :  a coverall worn in an operating room

2

:  the body of students and faculty of a college or university <rivalry between town and gown>

— gown transitive verb

Examples of GOWN

1. The bride wore a lovely lace wedding gown.
2. <a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding>

Origin of GOWN

Middle English, from Anglo-French gune, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GOWN

Synonyms

frock, dress

Related Words

chemise, coatdress, granny dress, housedress, jumper, kimono, kirtle, minidress, Mother Hubbard, muumuu, overdress, sack, sheath, shift, shirtdress, shirtwaist, sundress, sweaterdress, tea gown

Rhymes with GOWN

brown, clown, crown, down, drown, frown, lown, noun, town