robe

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noun \ ˈrōb \

Definition of robe

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

See robe defined for English-language learners

See robe defined for kids

Examples of robe in a Sentence

The priest wore a purple robe.
with the coming of spring the hills will once again don their robes of green

Recent Examples of robe from the Web

A good way to do it: By copping one of those fancy-looking robe dresses that were all over the resort collections, and feature prominently on your favorite Instagrammer who, somehow, is perpetually out-of-office.

— ana colon, Glamour, "13 Robe Dresses That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re Always on Vacation," 30 Aug. 2017
At the spa, Joan is greeted with a very comfy terry cloth robe, slippers and her own locker.

— lynn hammer, star-telegram, "Girls getaway," 28 July 2017
There is a strict dress code for women in the country of Saudi Arabia; the ruling mandates that women wear full-length robes called abayas.

— de elizabeth, Allure, "Woman Arrested In Saudi Arabia For Wearing a Miniskirt," 19 July 2017
Women in Saudi Arabia are required to wear black abayas, which are long, loose robes worn over the clothes, as well as a headscarf while in public.

— debbi baker, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Saudi woman arrested on indecency charges for wearing miniskirt and crop top," 18 July 2017
Lastly, the experience wouldn’t be complete without the chance to buy house sweaters, robes, jewelry, and collectibles for all the aspiring witches and wizards in your life.

— maureen lee lenker, EW.com, "Christmas in the Wizarding World to bring Harry Potter magic to holiday shopping," 18 July 2017
A full wax replica of the Last Supper that used to be housed in Madame Tussaud’s now sits for sale, the apostles and Jesus dressed colorful robes.

— andrew craft, Fox News, "Vegas antiquities shop full of bizarre and priceless artifacts," 13 July 2017
Ghost, a Swedish band also known as Ghost B.C. in the U.S., has a kind of anti-pope figure fronting the band and a gang of masked ghouls in demonic ecclesiastical robes backing him.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Ghost At College Street Music Hall," 5 July 2017
Father Javier, when not in his religious robes and presiding over weddings and baptisms, ran around energetically in athletic fleeces and vests tending to migrant affairs.

— alice driver, Longreads, "Father of Migrants," 30 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of robe

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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robe Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

blind, concealer, screen, shield; fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse; camouflage, disguise, facade (also façade), face, mask, veneer; gloss, varnish

robe

verb

Definition of robe

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

Examples of robe in a Sentence

robed the queen in her ceremonial garments

Recent Examples of robe from the Web

PARMA, Ohio -- An armed man who tried to robe a Parma CVS ran out of the store after an employee could not open the cash register, police say.

— kaylee remington, cleveland.com, "Parma CVS robbery foiled by employee who couldn't open register," 30 June 2017
Students squirm in their seats, anxious to toss that cap up, shrug that robe off, and get on with it.

— beth thames, AL.com, "Grateful for a graduation speech with a musical message," 31 May 2017

First Known Use of robe

14th century

robe Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress, untruss [archaic]

Related Words

cloak, frock, jacket, mantle, vest; drape, enswathe, hap [dialect], huddle, swaddle, swathe, wrap; accoutre (or accouter), bedight [archaic], equip, furnish, habilitate, outfit, tailor, uniform; dress down, underdress

Near Antonyms

denude, divest, uncover, undrape, unveil

ROBE Defined for English Language Learners

robe

play

noun

Definition of robe for English Language Learners

: a long, loose piece of clothing that is worn on top of other clothes to show that someone has a high rank or an important job
: a loose piece of clothing that wraps around your body and that you wear before or after bathing, swimming, etc., or while resting at home

ROBE Defined for Kids

robe

play

noun \ ˈrōb \

Definition of robe for Students

1 :a long loose or flowing garment

a judge's robe

2 :a loose garment worn especially after bathing or while relaxing at home

robe

verb

Definition of robe for Students

robed; robing

:to dress especially in a robe

Law Dictionary

robe

noun

legal Definition of robe

:the legal profession; especially :the position of a judge —usually used with the

[his]…decision to decline the robe
—H. B. Zobel

Learn More about robe

See words that rhyme with robe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for robe Spanish Central: Translation of robe Nglish: Translation of robe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of robe for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about robe

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Examples of robe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of robe from the Web

Origin and Etymology of robe

robe Synonyms

Synonyms

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robe

Definition of robe

Examples of robe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of robe from the Web

First Known Use of robe

robe Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

ROBE Defined for English Language Learners

robe

Definition of robe for English Language Learners

ROBE Defined for Kids

robe

Definition of robe for Students

robe

Definition of robe for Students

Law Dictionary

robe

legal Definition of robe

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