dress

1 of 3

verb

ˈdres 

dressed; dressing; dresses

transitive verb

1

a

: to make or set straight

b

: to arrange (troops, equipment, etc.) in a straight line and at proper intervals

2

: to prepare for use or service

specifically : to prepare for cooking or for the table

dress a salad

3

: to add decorative details or accessories to : embellish

4

a

: to put clothes on

dress a child

b

: to provide with clothing

feed and dress a growing family

5

archaic : dress down

6

a

: to apply dressings or medicaments to

dress a wound

b(1)

: to arrange (the hair) by combing, brushing, or curling

(2)

: to groom and curry (an animal)

c

: to kill and prepare for market or for consumption

—often used with out

d

: cultivate, tend

especially : to apply manure or fertilizer to

dress a field

e

: to put through a finishing process

especially : to trim and smooth the surface of (a material, such as lumber or stone)

intransitive verb

1

a

: to put on clothing

b

: to put on or wear formal, elaborate, or fancy clothes

dress for dinner

2

of a food animal : to weigh after being dressed

—often used with out

3

: to align oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line straight

dress

2 of 3

noun

1

: apparel, clothing

2

: an outer garment (as for a woman or girl) usually consisting of a one-piece bodice and skirt

3

: covering, adornment, or appearance appropriate or peculiar to a particular time

4

: a particular form of presentation : guise

dress

3 of 3

adjective

1

: suitable for a formal occasion

dress clothes

dress shoes

2

: requiring or permitting formal dress

a dress affair

3

: relating to or used for a dress

dress material

Phrases

dress ship

: to ornament a ship for a celebration by hoisting national ensigns at the mastheads and running a line of signal flags and pennants from bow to stern

Synonyms

Verb

• bandage
• bind
• swathe

Noun

• frock
• gown

Adjective

• dressy
• formal

Examples of dress in a Sentence

Verb

They dressed themselves in a hurry.

He dressed the child in a snowsuit.

She showered, dressed, and ate breakfast.

She dressed warmly for skiing.

She is dressing for the opera.

They always dress for dinner.

The nurse dressed the cut on my knee.

Noun

She wore dresses only on special occasions.

She wore a short black dress to the party.

Her wedding dress was decorated with lace.

The guests were clothed in traditional Indian dress.

It is wise to wear conservative dress to an interview.

Adjective

I wore dress pants and a nice sweater.

the naval commander wore his dress uniform to the ball

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Photo: Courtesy of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week In 2026, the bride will not be all dressed in white. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025

He was spotted dressed as a fisherman catching Hudson – a mermaid – in one snap during Halloween. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

From stylish hats to fashionable fascinators, the tradition dates back to the Derby’s earliest days when full morning dress was required of attendees, which at the time meant proper headwear for women. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025

Wearing look 14, Lipa donned a black body-conscious maxi dress rendered in a sheer, textured fabric. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025

Adjective

That's the case even if the job does not require dress clothes. —Daniel B. Kline, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2017

Dress code controversies are nothing new, especially in the era of social media. —Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 29 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French drescer, dresser to direct, put right, from Vulgar Latin *directiare, from Latin directus direct, past participle of dirigere to direct, from dis- + regere to lead straight — more at right

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dress

• battle dress uniform
• cocktail dress
• dress circle
• dress code
• dress down
• dress-down day
• dress in layers
• dress pattern
• dress rehearsal
• dress shield
• dress shirt
• dress the part
• dress uniform
• dress up
• evening dress
• fancy dress
• full dress
• granny dress
• side dress
• top dress

Rhymes for dress

• bless
• chess
• cress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse
• mess

Kids Definition

dress

1 of 3 verb

ˈdres 

1

: to make or set straight

2

a

: to put clothes on

b

: to provide with clothing

c

: to put on or wear formal or fancy clothes

3

: to trim or decorate for display

4

: to put in order

5

a

: to apply dressings or medicine to

dress a wound

b

: to arrange (as the hair) by combing, brushing, or curling

c

: groom entry 2 sense 1

d

: to kill and prepare for market

dress a chicken

e

: to apply manure or fertilizer to

6

: smooth entry 2 sense 2, finish

dress

2 of 3 noun

1

: clothing sense 1

2

: an outer garment with a skirt for a woman or child

3

: clothing appropriate to a particular time or occasion

Roman dress

evening dress

dress

3 of 3 adjective

1

: suitable or required for a formal occasion

dress clothes

2

: relating to or used for a dress

Medical Definition

dress

verb

ˈdres 

: to apply dressings or medicaments to