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dress

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

/dɹɛs/

Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: dressespast: dressedpp: dresseding: dressing

As a noun, it refers to a specific silhouette that blends a top and bottom into one piece. While often associated with femininity, the connotation varies wildly from casual (sundress) to highly formal (evening gown). When used as a verb for clothing, it implies the process of transformation from a state of undress to readiness. It is more comprehensive than "put on," which refers to a single item; "dressing" covers the entire ritual of getting ready. In a culinary context, it describes a precise, technical preparation. The feeling here is one of refinement and cleaningstripping away the unnecessary to leave only the usable part of the ingredient.

Countable when referring to the specific one-piece garment ('She bought three new dresses'). Uncountable when referring to clothing or attire in a general sense ('The dress code for the party is formal').

💬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.

David Smith
Chloe Smith
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

Noungown

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."

Transitive Verbto clothe

To put clothes on someone or something.

"The mother helped dress her toddler for school."

Intransitive Verbto prepare food

To put on clothes; to clothe oneself.

"Please wait a moment while I get dressed."

Transitive Verb

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."

Etymology

Derived from the Old French "dresser," meaning to set straight, arrange, or prepare, which originates from the Latin "directus," the past participle of "dirigere" meaning to guide or set straight.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 12, 2026Report an Error