dress

/dɹɛs/

When used as a noun, "dress" refers to the specific garment. However, in some contexts, it can refer more broadly to a style of clothing (e.g., "formal dress"). When using the verb for putting on clothes, we often use the phrase "get dressed" rather than just "dress" when talking about our own routine. In cooking, "dressing" a salad or meat is a specialized term meaning to add sauce or prepare the item for serving.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Thursday afternoon, Chloe is in her dorm room while David is at his office.

David Smith

Your mom wants to know if that blue dress still fits for the wedding.

Chloe Smith

Idk, adulting is hard and I've totally given up on fitting into anything.

💡

David is acting as the middleman for Karen, while Chloe uses the internet slang 'adulting' to express her typical dramatic fatigue regarding life responsibilities and body image.

Meanings

noun

A one-piece garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice, typically worn by women or girls.

"She wore a long red dress to the gala."

verb (transitive)

To put clothes on someone or something.

"The mother helped dress her toddler for school."

verb (intransitive)

To put on clothes; to clothe oneself.

"Please wait a moment while I get dressed."

verb (transitive)

To prepare food, such as meat or fish, for cooking by removing waste and trimming.

"The chef showed the apprentice how to dress a whole chicken."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026•Report an Error