robe

1 of 2

noun

ˈrōb 

1

a

: a long flowing outer garment

especially : one used for ceremonial occasions or as a symbol of office or profession

b

: a loose garment (such as a bathrobe) for informal wear especially at home

2

: covering, mantle

peaks on the axis of the range in their robes of snow and light

—John Muir

3

: a covering of pelts or fabric for the lower body used while driving or at outdoor events

robe

2 of 2

verb

robed; robing

transitive verb

: to clothe or cover with or as if with a robe

intransitive verb

1

: to put on a robe

2

: dress

Synonyms

Noun

• blanket
• cloak
• cope
• cover
• cover-up
• covering
• coverture
• curtain
• hood
• mantle
• mask
• pall
• penumbra
• shroud
• veil
• wraps

Verb

• apparel
• array
• attire
• bedeck
• caparison
• clothe
• costume
• deck (out)
• do up
• dress
• dress up
• enrobe
• garb
• garment
• get up
• gown
• habit
• invest
• rig (out)
• suit
• tog (up or out)
• toilet
• vesture

Examples of robe in a Sentence

Noun

The priest wore a purple robe.

with the coming of spring the hills will once again don their robes of green

Verb

robed the queen in her ceremonial garments

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Photos of his official coronation in 2012 show him in faux-ermine robes. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025

Choate appears alone, a vision in a blonde wig, sky-high stilettos, satiny blue robe and leotard — azure blue. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025

Verb

Jesus, robed in blue, stands just left of center with his disciples in an open piazza, a temple in the background. —Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 2025

Consider filling in the gaps with some light profiteroles, robed in dark chocolate sauce at the table. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, booty, clothing, robe, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German roubōn to rob

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing robe

• lap robe
• robe de chambre

Rhymes for robe

• globe
• jobe
• lobe
• probe
• strobe
• bathrobe
• earlobe
• microbe
• niobe
• wardrobe
• microprobe

Kids Definition

robe

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōb 

1

: a long loose or flowing garment

2

: a covering or wrap for the lower body

robe

2 of 2 verb

robed; robing

1

: to clothe or cover with or as if with a robe

2

: dress entry 1 sense 2a

Legal Definition

robe

noun

: the legal profession

especially : the position of a judge

—usually used with the

[his]…decision to decline the robe

—H. B. Zobel