dressing

1 of 2

noun

dress·​ing ˈdre-siŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one who dresses

b

: an instance of such act or process

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish (such as a salad)

b

: a seasoned mixture usually used as a stuffing (as for poultry)

3

a

: material (such as ointment or gauze) applied to cover a lesion or wound

b

: fertilizing material (such as manure or compost)

dressing

2 of 2

present participle of dress entry 1

Synonyms of dressing

Noun

• plaster

Examples of dressing in a Sentence

Noun

We had turkey with dressing and potatoes for dinner.

The nurse cleaned the cut and applied a dressing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Colorblocking, Bermuda shorts, pochette bags, fringe and sheer dressing. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Brown handbags are being framed as a warmer alternative to the standard black bag, while tonal dressing extends the palette across entire outfits. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Yesterday, Demi Moore and Tallulah Willis arrived at Step Up’s 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center in coordinating Thom Browne skirt suits, putting a distinctly preppy spin on mother-daughter dressing. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Earlier this week, the 29-year-old model seamlessly blended classic autumnal staples with sporty accessories for a fresh twist on transitional dressing. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dressing

• cross-dressing
• dressing-down
• dressing glass
• dressing gown
• dressing room
• dressing table
• French dressing
• house (salad) dressing
• Italian dressing
• ore dressing
• ranch dressing
• Russian dressing
• salad dressing
• side dressing
• Thousand Island dressing
• top dressing
• window dressing

Rhymes for dressing

• blessing
• guessing
• messing
• pressing
• stressing
• accessing
• addressing
• assessing
• caressing
• compressing
• confessing
• depressing

Kids Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing ˈdres-iŋ 

1

a

: the act or process of one that dresses

b

: an instance of dressing

2

a

: a sauce for adding to a dish

b

: a seasoned mixture used as a stuffing (as for poultry) or baked and served separately

3

a

: material (as ointment or gauze) used to cover an injury

b

: fertilizing material (as manure or compost)

Medical Definition

dressing

noun

dress·​ing -iŋ 

: a covering (as of ointment or gauze) applied to a lesion