1
as in dresses
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
as in clothes
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 gowns
Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
The American citizens were wearing personal protective equipment, so wearing gowns, masks, eye protection.
—Philip Wang, Time, 11 May 2026
Rowan and Shields were recently photographed together ahead of attending Animal Haven's Benefit for the Animals on April 30, wearing coordinated gowns.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Graduates are encouraged to wear their caps and gowns, along with any stoles or cords.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
In one of the company's labs, scientists in blue gowns begin the process by removing DNA from the blood and saliva samples of couples and cells from their embryos.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 6 May 2026
In 2014, couturier Charles James' work went on display at the Met and guests embraced brilliant gowns with his grandiose touch.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Extravagant gowns can yield a very particular kind of fashion emergency requiring the help of assistants, seamstresses and even fellow celebs.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
But drama could extend beyond the theatrical unveiling of gowns on the red carpet (or in this case, green carpet), too.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2025
Sabrina Carpenter’s showgirl twist Sabrina Carpenter has made halter necks and strapless gowns her red-carpet staples of late.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The quarantine unit staff are treating the passengers with full airborne precautions—that means wearing high-level personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators, gowns and eye protection, Santarpia says.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
The American citizens were wearing personal protective equipment, so wearing gowns, masks, eye protection.
—Philip Wang, Time, 11 May 2026
Rowan and Shields were recently photographed together ahead of attending Animal Haven's Benefit for the Animals on April 30, wearing coordinated gowns.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Graduates are encouraged to wear their caps and gowns, along with any stoles or cords.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
In one of the company's labs, scientists in blue gowns begin the process by removing DNA from the blood and saliva samples of couples and cells from their embryos.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 6 May 2026
In 2014, couturier Charles James' work went on display at the Met and guests embraced brilliant gowns with his grandiose touch.
—Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Extravagant gowns can yield a very particular kind of fashion emergency requiring the help of assistants, seamstresses and even fellow celebs.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
But drama could extend beyond the theatrical unveiling of gowns on the red carpet (or in this case, green carpet), too.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Verb
Were the 1989 sets and surprise song gowns Easter Eggs or picked on a whim?
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2025
Sabrina Carpenter’s showgirl twist Sabrina Carpenter has made halter necks and strapless gowns her red-carpet staples of late.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gowns
Noun
-
People are mostly casual in shorts, sandals, vests, and tees at breakfast, but are more done-up at night in dresses, shirts, and trousers for 1818, the rooftop bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Given her line of work, skirts and dresses are not part of her everyday wardrobe rotation.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
From shoulder pads to power suits and prom dresses to nightgowns, nothing is off limits.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, 52 percent of women want sleepwear like robes, pajamas or nightgowns compared to just 27 percent of men.—
Catherine Salfino,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gowns. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
