gown 1 of 2

noun

ˈgau̇n How to pronounce gown (audio)
Definition of gownnext
1
as in dress
a garment with a joined blouse and skirt usually worn by a woman or girl a shopping trip for the express purpose of finding the perfect gown for the wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in pajamas
a loose pullover garment worn in bed answered the front door still dressed in the gown that she had been sleeping in

Synonyms & Similar Words

gown

2 of 2

verb

as in to dress
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes a Renaissance portrait of a queen gowned in exotic silks and satins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gown
Noun
The central image showed Bel beaming in a bright-blue cap and gown. — Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 The star did so in a glitzy, silver plunging Chanel gown, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, the brand’s designer at the time, and comet-style necklace. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
At the 2026 amFAR Gala this summer, Pamela Anderson donned a satin Calvin Klein Collection orange gown with a matching shawl. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026 Gala cochair Nicole Ari Parker was one of the first to arrive, wearing a custom Victor De Souza gown reminiscent of Victorian tulle. — Brianna J. Heath, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gown
  1. dress
  2. nightgown
  3. clothe
  4. nightdress
  5. costume
  6. nightshirt
  7. attire
  8. lingerie
Noun
  • Babydoll dresses in the spirit of the 1960s model Twiggy and their accompanying endless stretches of leg are another possible alternative.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Popular comedian Antonis Kanakis poked fun at the 57-year-old’s flamboyant outfits in a skit posted online, donning a black wig and shimmering silver dress with a pink feather boa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dress
Noun
  • Here are the differences between a nightgown and a muumuu—or more accurately, muumuu.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026
  • As blood soaks her nightgown, Lizzie calmly observes the scene of the crime.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of nightgown
Verb
  • However, other analysts have expressed concerns about assuming that take-or-pay legal structures are iron-clad and about equating backlogs with revenue.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Video of the incident obtained by CBS News showed a group of around 20 masked men clad in black or gray clothes descending a hill from the area of an Israeli settlement outpost into an olive grove near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clothe
Noun
  • The Rhode beauty founder posed in a tiny white nightdress while cuddling and kissing Justin in bed in photos shared on September 7.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Take Prada’s Spring-Summer 2023 show, where sheer, matronly nightdresses and housecoats were shown with heeled Mary Janes and tightly gripped clutch bags.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Definition of nightdress
Verb
  • The finale began with part one of the three-part Head of Household competition, as the finalists were forced to hold on to a kite for as long as possible while dressed in some ridiculous Ben Franklin costumes.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The custom-fit suit is a near-torture device of costuming that severely limits my ability to move.
    — Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The Yellow Kid was a big bald baby of a boy, with jug ears, a gap-toothed grin, and a long yellow nightshirt.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Petite Plume also sells silk pajama sets and nightshirts in whimsical prints, to make for a memorable gift.
    — Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of nightshirt
Verb
  • At the age of 93 in 2018, Saint, who had been so memorably attired in her classic films, appeared at the 90th Academy Awards ceremony to present the Oscar for Best Costume Design (Phantom Thread won).
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Always elegantly attired, always thirsty, never drunk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • And beyond the lingerie, there's plenty of merch for fans looking to pick up something giftable such as tee shirts, sweatshirts, socks and tote bags.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The statement-making shoes accompanied an edgy lingerie look featuring a lacy bralette and briefs with corset-like lacing.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of lingerie

Browse Nearby Words

go (with)
gown
gowned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gown. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All