noun
apparel
uh-PA-ruhl
noun
1
Clothing, especially as a category of goods.
"The store sells outdoor apparel for hikers and campers."
verb
1
To dress or clothe someone, often elaborately.
"The knights were apparelled in full ceremonial armor."
How to Use Apparel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA somewhat formal word for clothing, often used in retail and business contexts.
When to use it
More common in commercial/retail language ("apparel industry") than in everyday speech, where "clothes" is normal.
Common pairings
apparel industry
outdoor apparel
casual apparel
Word Forms
appareled past tense, apparelled past tense, apparels plural, apparels singular
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The store sells outdoor _____ for hikers and campers.
Etymology
From Old French apareillier, related to "apparel" as in outfitting or preparing something.