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

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
Xi chose a black suit and his wife, Peng Liyuan, wore a red gown. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 Many assume there are two options for red carpets — suits or gowns. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
Taylor Swift proved all that glitters isn’t always gold in her silver and black Tamara Ralph gown at the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday night held at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 The bride wore an intricate lace gown by Dolce & Gabbana that reportedly took around 900 hours to make. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gown
Noun
  • Given that her dress was so bold, Cardi and her makeup artist Erika La' Pearl matched the vibes with a glitter eye in a purply-pink color that complemented the vivid colors of the gown.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Fina Strazza stars as Billie Blake, who comes back to her hometown after her mother comes into a dress shop through an inheritance.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
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
Verb
  • The Sun, who now begin the process of relocating to Houston for next season, gave their loyal, vociferous and orange-clad fans a goodbye present, a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo, just a little something to remember them by.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The curls, which spiraled around her, were arguably louder than the print she was clad in.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
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
Verb
  • Neither did costume historians who worried about potential damage to the fragile dress.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The long lineup of contests includes yodeling, stein holding, beer belly, costume and culminates each day in the best chicken dancer competition.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026
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
Verb
  • Always elegantly attired, always thirsty, never drunk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The open concept and casually attired employees bear a resemblance to countless other start-ups.
    — Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • And this isn’t the first time that Stone has criticized Sweeney, previously shading the 29-year-old’s lingerie line, Syrn.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The new cast features people from all walks of life, including a sociology professor, a farmer and a lingerie business owner.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gown. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster