attire

1 of 2

verb

at·​tire ə-ˈtī(-ə)r 

attired; attiring

transitive verb

: to put garments on : dress, array

… proceeded to attire herself for a professional visit.

—Charles Dickens

The guests were formally attired. [=wearing formal clothing]

especially : to clothe in fancy or rich garments

dancers attired in colorful costumes

attire

2 of 2

noun

1

: dress, clothes

business attire

especially : splendid or decorative clothing

the queen in her royal attire

2

: the antlers or antlers and scalp of a stag or buck

Synonyms of attire

Verb

• dress
• clothe
• costume
• gown
• apparel
• garment

Noun

• clothing
• clothes
• dress
• garments
• apparel
• wear

Examples of attire in a Sentence

Verb

men attired in tuxedos for the awards banquet

Noun

Proper attire is required at the restaurant.

needed some snazzy attire for the job interview

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Today he’s attired in a gray hoodie over a white T-shirt. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 May 2026

They were identically attired, in a dark suit and dark glasses. — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026

Noun

Speaking of safety, proper attire and gear is vital while python hunting. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

Some marchers wore colonial attire, inflatable bald eagle costumes or dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French atirer to equip, prepare, attire, from a- (from Latin ad-) + tire order, rank, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English tīr glory, ornament

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for attire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

attire

1 of 2 verb

at·​tire ə-ˈtī(ə)r 

attired; attiring

: to put clothes and especially special or fine clothes on

attire

2 of 2 noun

: clothing sense 1

especially : fine clothes