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
Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs — formalwear finely woven from piña, or pineapple fibers — as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
The more than 4,000 brides and grooms wore matching outfits — the brides in identical white gowns, grooms in dark suits and red ties.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Out of a sea of caps and gowns, 46 students are ready to make waves in the entertainment industry.
—Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The graduates, members of the Class of 2026, entered the stadium in caps and gowns as family members and friends cheered from the stands.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Each designer has their own production process, but gowns are made by the designers themselves and delivered to the bride through the boutique.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
It’s been months since Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman finalized their divorce, and the Oscar-winning actress has been dominating red carpets left and right in revenge-style gowns.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 9 June 2026
Taking cues from the gowns of Princess Kate and Grace Kelly before her, the bride opted for a high lace neckline.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 June 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 royals and fur Fine fur items – including crowns, hats and ceremonial gowns – have long been a staple of the royal wardrobe.
—Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs — formalwear finely woven from piña, or pineapple fibers — as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
The more than 4,000 brides and grooms wore matching outfits — the brides in identical white gowns, grooms in dark suits and red ties.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Out of a sea of caps and gowns, 46 students are ready to make waves in the entertainment industry.
—Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The graduates, members of the Class of 2026, entered the stadium in caps and gowns as family members and friends cheered from the stands.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Each designer has their own production process, but gowns are made by the designers themselves and delivered to the bride through the boutique.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
It’s been months since Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman finalized their divorce, and the Oscar-winning actress has been dominating red carpets left and right in revenge-style gowns.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 9 June 2026
Taking cues from the gowns of Princess Kate and Grace Kelly before her, the bride opted for a high lace neckline.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 June 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
-
Staud’s sale is full of summery dresses and separates, but this ditsy floral skirt is a favorite styled with a white button down and a bikini underneath.—
Aemilia Madden,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
It's all designed to last, with sweet linen dresses and airy shorts giving me cool options for every single occasion.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
17 June 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
-
Stewart recounted New York’s enthusiastic reaction to the Knicks winning, including the appearance of multiple Spider-Man costumes, a dancing MTA bus driver, and a drum line.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Gowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gowns. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
