wardrobe

noun

ward·​robe ˈwȯr-ˌdrōb 

plural wardrobes

1

a

: a collection of wearing apparel (as of one person or for one activity)

a summer wardrobe

b

: a collection of stage costumes and accessories

working in the wardrobe department

2

a

chiefly British : a room or closet (see closet entry 1 sense 2) where clothes are kept

b

: clothes press

especially : a tall freestanding cabinet with a rod for hanging clothes

c

: a large trunk in which clothes may be hung upright

3

: the department of a royal or noble household entrusted with the care of wearing apparel, jewels, and personal articles

Did you know?

There is a lot of word history packed into wardrobe. The word was borrowed by Middle-English speakers from a variant of Anglo-French garderobe. A combination of garder and robe, garderobe itself has been borrowed into English as a synonym of wardrobe. If the roots of garderobe look familiar, it is because they are the source of a number of different English words. Garder has given us the verbs guard and ward. And French robe, of course, is the source of the English robe and shares its own origins with the English verbs rob and reave (a synonym of plunder). If this connection seems odd, it might help to know that robe can be traced back to Germanic origins related to the Old High German words roub ("booty" or "looted clothing") and roubōn ("to rob").

Example Sentences

She has a new summer wardrobe.

She went to wardrobe for her fitting.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also bold hues, prints, and patterns to add a fun pop of color to your travel wardrobe. —Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2023

The idea of a day dress doesn’t—and has never—existed in my wardrobe. —Sarah Harris, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2023

Even a pair of socks will suffice, especially when the moment falls in the middle of the night or a time of day that's not convenient for a wardrobe change. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2023

This is a great time to make a few updates to your appearance, perhaps with a new hairstyle or a few special additions to your wardrobe. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2023

Puff Sleeves, $68; anthropologie.com See Every Star Arriving on the 2023 Oscars Red Carpet Keep scrolling to see more of the cutest statement-sleeve tops and dresses to add flair to your spring wardrobe. —Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023

These black drawstring track pants will transition with your wardrobe between seasons. —Megan Lasher, Men's Health, 3 Mar. 2023

But if my all-black wardrobe didn’t offend them, the somber monotone of my Spanish did. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2023

After a long, dreary winter, what better way to reinvigorate your wardrobe than by adding the most exciting spring fashion trends to your rotation? —Jake Smith, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English warderobe, from Anglo-French *warderobe, garderobe, from warder, garder to guard + robe robe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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Kids Definition

wardrobe

noun

ward·​robe ˈwȯr-ˌdrōb 

1

: a room, closet, or chest where clothes are kept

2

: a collection of clothes (as of one person or for one activity)