dress

To put clothes on yourself.

• I need to dress first.
• She dressed quickly after her shower.
• Please dress warmly for the walk.

How to use it: dress in something (He dressed in black for the ceremony.); dress for something (We dressed for the party.)

Similar words: get dressed

Opposites: undress

Common phrases: dress quickly, dress for dinner, dress warmly

To put clothes on another person or on an object.

• I dressed the baby.
• She dressed her doll in a blue skirt.
• He dressed the children warmly before taking them outside.

How to use it: dress someone in something (She dressed the baby in a soft sweater.)

Similar words: clothe

Opposites: undress

Common phrases: dress a baby, dress someone warmly, dress a doll

To clean and cover an injury with a bandage or other protective material.

• The nurse dressed my wound.
• She cleaned and dressed the cut.
• The doctor will dress the injury again tomorrow.

Similar words: bandage

Common phrases: dress a wound, dress a cut

To prepare food for cooking or eating, especially by adding sauce or other flavorings.

• Dress the salad just before serving.
• He dressed the fish with herbs.
• The chickens were dressed and ready for roasting.

How to use it: dress something with something (Dress the salad with olive oil and lemon juice.)

Similar words: prepare, season

Common phrases: dress a salad, dress with oil, dress a chicken

To design, choose, or supply the clothes someone wears.

• This designer dresses famous actors.
• She dressed the singer for the concert.
• Who dressed the royal family for the wedding?

How to use it: dress someone for something (The designer dressed the actors for the awards ceremony.)

Similar words: outfit

Common phrases: dress someone, dress someone for

To cut, shape, or smooth a material’s surface so it is ready to use.

• The mason dressed the stone.
• These boards must be dressed before use.
• He dressed the grinding wheel to restore its surface.

Similar words: shape, finish

Common phrases: dress stone, dress timber, dress a wheel

A piece of clothing that covers the upper body and has a skirt below the waist.

• She wore a red dress.
• These dresses are too small.
• I bought a long dress for the wedding.

Similar words: frock

Common phrases: summer dress, wedding dress, wear a dress

Clothes of a particular style, especially those suitable for an event, job, or group.

• Formal dress is required.
• The soldiers appeared in military dress.
• Guests wore traditional dress at the ceremony.

Similar words: attire, clothing, apparel

Common phrases: formal dress, military dress, dress code