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").

Examples of wardrobe in a Sentence

She has a new summer wardrobe.

She went to wardrobe for her fitting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yellow plunge bikinis, hot pink two-pieces, patchwork stringy numbers… Hayek has an impressive swimwear wardrobe, and the sort of next-level curves required to showcase it to best possible effect. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

The other option is the Kent, a sleeker, short-heeled model that might slide more easily into city-slicker wardrobes. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

The stunning deep red shade will add a pop of color to even the simplest outfits, and it can be dressed up with a flowy maxi skirt, or down with a baggy pair of sweats to get the most wear out of this wardrobe staple. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024

If your wardrobe needs a few transitional outerwear pieces, grab this Universal Thread Cardigan. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

Regardless, the other News members will be on hand for a celebration April 19 in New York, and during his red carpet moments, Lewis will be sporting a new suit courtesy of good pal Jimmy Kimmel and his wardrobe director for Jimmy Kimmel Live! —Gary Graff, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024

Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez sought him for concert-tour wardrobes, and Madonna was seen in a three-piece, emerald green Cavalli suit in Miami as recently this week. —Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Slim-fitting trousers, laidback tees, and eccentric outerwear selections are what his wardrobe is partially filled with. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024

Hear me out, everyone needs a go-to pair of shorts for lounging around the house or outside in the summertime, and a racerback tank is a capsule wardrobe must that can be layered or worn as is. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024

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)