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attire

formal clothes / to dress
NounTransitive Verb
past: attiredpp: attireding: attiring

This term carries a strong connotation of formality and intentionality. It is rarely used for casual clothing like pajamas or gym wear, instead evoking images of ceremonial, professional, or high-fashion garments. The word suggests a curated appearance designed to signal status, role, or respect for a specific event. As a noun, attire is an uncountable mass noun. It refers to the collective concept of clothing rather than individual garments. Therefore, one cannot refer to "three attires"; instead, phrases like "a piece of attire" or "items of attire" must be used to quantify specific articles of clothing.

Meanings

Noun

Clothes, especially fine or formal clothes worn for a particular occasion.

"The guests arrived in their finest evening attire."

Transitive Verb
[~ someone][~ oneself in something]

To dress someone or oneself in specific clothes.

"She attired herself in a gown of shimmering silk."

Transitive Verb
[~ something]

To provide someone or something with a particular outfit or decorative covering.

"The priest was attired in traditional liturgical robes."

Related Words

Last Updated: June 12, 2026Report an Error