wardrobe

noun

ward·​robe ˈwȯr-ˌdrōb 

plural wardrobes

1

a

: a collection of wearing apparel (as of one person or for one activity)

a summer wardrobe

b

: a collection of stage costumes and accessories

working in the wardrobe department

2

a

chiefly British : a room or closet (see closet entry 1 sense 2) where clothes are kept

b

: clothes press

especially : a tall freestanding cabinet with a rod for hanging clothes

c

: a large trunk in which clothes may be hung upright

3

: the department of a royal or noble household entrusted with the care of wearing apparel, jewels, and personal articles

Did you know?

There is a lot of word history packed into wardrobe. The word was borrowed by Middle-English speakers from a variant of Anglo-French garderobe. A combination of garder and robe, garderobe itself has been borrowed into English as a synonym of wardrobe. If the roots of garderobe look familiar, it is because they are the source of a number of different English words. Garder has given us the verbs guard and ward. And French robe, of course, is the source of the English robe and shares its own origins with the English verbs rob and reave (a synonym of plunder). If this connection seems odd, it might help to know that robe can be traced back to Germanic origins related to the Old High German words roub ("booty" or "looted clothing") and roubōn ("to rob").

Examples of wardrobe in a Sentence

She has a new summer wardrobe.

She went to wardrobe for her fitting.

Recent Examples on the Web

The key to curating a great travel wardrobe is by filling it with comfortable, versatile staples that can be worn in a plethora of ways. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024

Martha Stewart is always prepared, and her wardrobe is no exception. —Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024

The word felt heavy, ill fitting, like the rest of my wardrobe quickly became. —Mercedes Bleth, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Apr. 2024

The event cost who knows how much and featured multiple wardrobe changes for the bride and an elegant reception for hundreds at the Getty mansion. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

Alex’s wedding weekend wardrobe—and especially the dress—was unfortunately something Matt couldn’t help with. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

Eve also acquires an enviable wardrobe of new outfits during gameplay (some are quest rewards, while others can be found through exploration). —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024

If your every day uniform includes black pants, these are ones to add to your wardrobe. —Alyssa Rotunno, Glamour, 23 Apr. 2024

The careful balance of environmental factors in wardrobe selection, however, comes secondary to the crown jewel of functionality: the all-purpose travel jacket. —Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English warderobe, from Anglo-French *warderobe, garderobe, from warder, garder to guard + robe robe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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Kids Definition

wardrobe

noun

ward·​robe ˈwȯr-ˌdrōb 

1

: a room, closet, or chest where clothes are kept

2

: a collection of clothes (as of one person or for one activity)