garb

noun

\ ˈgärb

Definition of garb

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 obsolete : fashion, manner

2a : a style of apparel

b : outward form : appearance

garb

verb

garbed; garbing; garbs

Definition of garb (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with clothing

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about garb

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Examples of garb in a Sentence

Noun

decided to clothe himself in traditional Scottish garb for the celebration a fable about personal redemption presented in the garb of a conventional horror story

Verb

firefighters garbed in protective gear

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Miller, a slight man who stands 5-foot-10-inches and weighs 140 pounds, stood wearing glasses and orange jail garb next to Barbour and wept quietly for much of the hearing. — Sam Stanton, sacbee, "He threatened his young victims into filming sex acts. Now he's facing 22 years in prison," 10 July 2018 As for the wrestling garb aspect, Ms. Markey and Ms. Davis have that covered, too, with their two-tone spandex athletic wear. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: In the Relationships in ‘Singlet,’ One and One Make One," 20 May 2018 He was brought into court in a wheelchair, sporting a white beard, glasses, and tan prison garb. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Convicted sex offender Wayne Chapman ordered held without bail on charges of exposing himself," 9 July 2018 They were joined by 15 young singers from South Africa who, dressed in bright, traditional African garb and tribal face paint, stood out among the adult choir’s all-black outfits. — Makeda Easter, latimes.com, "An American scholar was killed in South Africa nearly 25 years ago. Today her legacy lives on through music," 4 July 2018 But the religious garb was specifically worn to be misleading, according to federal prosecutors in New Jersey. — Jared Gilmour, miamiherald, "Two women dressed as nuns. Their real habit was armed bank robbery, N.J. prosecutors say," 22 June 2018 During a school assembly, a student in the audience took a picture of a black student who was wearing striped prison garb in a skit on stage. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "'His heart is broken.' School district apologizes for racist photo of black student | The Kansas City Star," 27 Apr. 2018 Service denotes many things, be it in a restaurant context or behind a bar, outfitted in a military uniform or in religious garb. — Paolo Lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, "Welcome to Service: Stories to celebrate those who serve others," 25 May 2018 Five or so other volunteers dressed in Seussian garb were seated around the room. — Crocker Stephenson, USA TODAY, "Lifelong reader shares power of words with new generation of children," 8 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Other images show families huddled together garbed in the over-sized sweatshirts, along with kids and teens posing in an array of crop tops, hoodies and biker shorts. — Morgan M. Evans, Fox News, "Kanye West launches Yeezy campaign with nude Kim Kardashian lookalike models," 13 June 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge and her mother-in-law, Camilla, both garbed in pale blue outfits, rode in carriages behind Markle and Harry. — Morgan M. Evans, Fox News, "Meghan Markle attends annual Trooping the Colour parade, makes Buckingham Palace balcony debut," 9 June 2018 Maria Pinhiero’s family could contend for the title as one of the most patriotically garbed at Orlando’s Fourth of July celebration at Lake Eola. — Kyle Arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Fireworks dazzle as Orlando comes together to celebrate Independence Day," 4 July 2018 The remaining members of the company (which numbers 10) are garbed in Cassidy Haley’s shiny black sci-fi outfits; most have character names, though what differentiates them is difficult to discern. — Allan Ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "Robert Dekkers’ ‘Red Shoes’ not quite the right fit at Diablo Ballet," 5 May 2018 Buy Photo Hundreds of tie-dye garbed, jam band-loving fans will be lining up at the Ardmore Music Hall this weekend for two special Father’s Day, matinee-edition Grateful Dead tribute shows. — Jonathan Takiff, Philly.com, "Hopped up on fruit snacks, tiny fans rock out to Grateful Dead, Beatles at concerts for kids," 13 June 2018 Idris Elba and his girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre walked into the chapel hand in hand with garbed in black outfits. — Fox News, "Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's wedding full of A-listers from George Clooney to Oprah to Serena Williams," 19 May 2018 As all the celebrities arrived at the chapel for the ceremony, garbed in their royal best, there was one star in particular who set himself apart from the crowd. — Fox News, "Elton John caught frowning during Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's wedding," 19 May 2018 There’s an earthy duet for Dores André and Luke Ingham, a corps garbed like centurions, a fellow (Wei Wang) in chalky white makeup, alternately toting a gold fishing rod and standing on his head and a general air of decadence. — Allan Ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "Pita’s ‘Bjork Ballet’ a stunning work in S.F. Ballet’s final Unbound program," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'garb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for garb

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Italian; Middle French garbe "graceful contour, grace," borrowed from Italian garbo "grace, charm, good manners, form, outline of a ship's hull made from wood pieces," of uncertain origin

Note: If the sense "outline of a ship's hull" is prior to the more abstract senses, the modern Italian word probably continues an earlier etymon represented by (alleged) medieval Genoese dialect garibu in the sense "model of a hull," itself ultimately a loan from Arabic qālib "mold, shoemaker's last" (see caliber); details of attestation are thus far incompletely documented, however. An earlier hypothesis connecting garbo (and the related verb garbare "to be becoming to, please") to Germanic *garwjan- "to prepare, make ready" (presumably via Gothic; see gear entry 1, yare) is questionable on semantic and phonetic grounds.

Verb

derivative of garb entry 1

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