dress down

verb

dressed down; dressing down; dresses down

transitive verb

: to reprove severely

intransitive verb

: to dress casually especially for reasons of fashion

Synonyms

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• rail (at or against)
• call down
• blame
• chew out
• criticize
• bawl out
• rant (at)
• read the riot act (to)

Examples of dress down in a Sentence

dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance

Recent Examples on the Web

Workwear styling aside, the pants can be easily dressed down with a T-shirt and sneakers for casual outings. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 10 July 2025

Use the sleek stepper as a way to dress up a Pilates uniform or dress down bohemian dresses, showing your sporty side and tapping into some juxtaposition this season. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

This faded Madewell Denim Trucker Jacket is currently on sale for 50 percent off and instantly dresses down even your most feminine frocks. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2025

Whether paired with a blouse for a day in the office or dressed down with a T-shirt for more casual occasions, skinny pants are a smart staple to have on hand. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 5 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for dress down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

dress down

verb

1

: to criticize severely

2

: to dress casually