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

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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
Norman Hartnell had dressed both her mother and, indeed, her grandmother, Queen Mary, in those very romantic neo-Victorian gowns. Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026 After rocking back-to-back sultry gowns for the 2026 Golden Globes, Lopez struck a decisively more casual tone days later. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026 Many guests are saying RIP to vibrant color stories in favor of glamorous black gowns for the prestigious film awards ceremony. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Feb. 2026 Since then, there have been fall 1996 Gianni Versace Couture gowns at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards and a waist-whittling custom Ashi Studio creation for the 2026 Golden Globes. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2026 This time, the snow queens in puffer-coat-gowns from the opening ceremony were replaced with volunteers wearing loose-fitting tunics, the ceremony equivalent of putting on sweatpants after a hard day's work. Pien Huang, NPR, 22 Feb. 2026 For Araminta, a woman who has always lived within society’s strictures, Sophie is just another rule to follow — and Leung does so with sneering menace, extravagant goth gowns, and a purposefully maternal approach. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026 Then, there are the pesky vampirologists Theobastus Bombastus (André Jung) and Nepomuk Afterbite (Marco Lorenzini), who’ve arrived at this hotel for a vampire conference and are fascinated by Erzsébet’s legend, and my god, her gowns, too. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026 Inside, models donned a sea of frilly pink and pearl gowns as waiters in crushed velvet sport coats served up champagne. Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 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
  • Dots, a brand hallmark, are another recurring motif, both thanks to holes knit into chunky sweaters and paillettes stitched onto delicate, straight-as-an-arrow slip dresses.
    Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Three dresses were made for the film—including one with a thigh-high slit.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gowns. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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