robe

noun \ ˈrōb \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

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

June remains in Gilead, staring up out of her red robe like some demonic angel of revenge.

— refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Recap Season 2, Episode 13: The Martha Express," 11 July 2018
Emily’s first ceremony with Commander Lawrence doesn’t go according to plan, the plan being Emily concealing a knife in her robes and stabbing him to death during the act.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Finale Offers a Light in the Darkness," 11 July 2018
Then came the big reveal: Muhlenberg opened his clerical robe.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "A park on Connecticut Avenue NW has a statue of John Muhlenberg. Why?," 7 July 2018
Blessing reported hiding two pistols in the pockets of her robe before confronting her sleeping son, court records show.

— nathan j. fish, azcentral, "Sheriff: MCSO went to 92-year-old woman's home five times before son killed," 5 July 2018
Nearly all program participants have been subjected to trauma that includes domestic violence, absent parents, poverty and violence, said Judge Bruce Chan, who decided to forgo his judicial robes in court for graduation day.

— lauren hernandez, SFChronicle.com, "Graduates of Young Adult Court in SF get second chance to beat the odds," 28 June 2018
This Cosabella sale-on-sale is no exception, where a slew of already-on-sale bras, panties, PJs, robes, camisoles, and tank dresses are an extra 25 percent off at Orchard Mile.

— the editors, The Strategist, "There’s Another Sale on Top of These Already-on-Sale Cosabella Underthings," 18 June 2018
Grab your wand, don your robe and celebrate the prolific series with hits from the era.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Coming up: Super Saturated Sugar Strings and Medium Build, a vaudeville variety show and a dance party that’s magic," 24 May 2018
Matsch, sixty-six, wore cowboy boots beneath his robes.

— jill lepore, The New Yorker, "The Rise of the Victims’-Rights Movement," 14 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

robe Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

blind, concealer, screen, shield;

fig leaf, 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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

robe Synonyms

ROBE Defined for English Language Learners

robe

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