gowns 1 of 2

Definition of gownsnext
plural of gown
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

gowns

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gown

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
Noun
The grit is hidden behind the gowns. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026 The red carpet at this year’s Golden Globe Awards is awash with black gowns and Old Hollywood glamour — and Selena Gomez brought both. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026 Since his appointment as a Belgian royal warrant holder, Meer has designed pieces for Queen Mathilde from formal gowns to daytime dresses and more. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026 Last night, a handful of Hollywood’s A-listers attended the Golden Globes in extravagant gowns, glitzy jewels, and glossy hairstyles. Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 12 Jan. 2026 Not to be outdone, television stars like Selena Gomez, Jenna Ortega, and Carrie Coon also brought plenty of drama in gowns that oozed razzle and dazzle. Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026 The evening featured a stunning mix of satin gowns, sharp suits, and luxurious velvet designs, proving once again that glamour reigns supreme at the Golden Globes. Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Jan. 2026 Her custom look in yellow crepe georgette felt fresh and modern and rightly stood out in a night teeming in black gowns and tuxedo interpretations. Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026 Although it was not related to an honorary degree, the band members were each gifted caps and gowns to wear. Andrea Flores jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 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
  • Parisian brand Rouje is an arbiter of cool, and founder Jeanne Damas’s flirty dresses are feminine and timeless.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
  • At the 2026 Golden Globes, dresses were every color of the crayon box.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Okay, that sounded weird—but Carter’s sells a handful of their adorable holiday nightgowns for little girls with a matching version for their tiny doll BFFs.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In it, Oldham costumes up as a shaggy woodland monster, which—after a more nimble inhabitant seemingly swaps into the outfit—proceeds to engage a human in an elaborate dance routine.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
    Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gowns. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on gowns

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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