attire

8 synonyms and 1 antonym for attire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Clothing, especially of a particular style appropriate to an occasion.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

clothing dress

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

apparel outfit

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

garb garments overdress prink

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Clothing, especially of a particular style appropriate to an occasion.

“Formal attire is required for the gala.”

clothing apparel garb outfit garments dress

Opposites

nudity

2. verb

To dress or adorn someone, typically in fine or formal clothing.

“She was attired in a stunning silk gown.”

overdress prink

How to use attire

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

formal attire business attire attired in

More formal than "clothes" or "outfit" — common on invitations and dress codes.

Etymology

From Old French atirier, "to equip, put in order," related to a word meaning "rank" or "order."

Full origin of attire →

Frequently asked questions

What does “attire” mean?

The word “attire” means clothing, especially of a particular style appropriate to an occasion. In plain terms, a somewhat formal word for clothing, or the act of dressing someone in it.

How do you pronounce “attire”?

“Attire” is pronounced uh-TY (/əˈtaɪɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “attire” in a sentence?

Here is “attire” used in a sentence: “Formal attire is required for the gala.”

What part of speech is “attire”?

Depending on how it is used, “attire” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “attire” come from?

The word “attire” comes from Old French. From Old French atirier, "to equip, put in order," related to a word meaning "rank" or "order.".

Is “attire” a common word?

“Attire” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “attire” have?

“Attire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: clothing, especially of a particular style appropriate to an occasion.

People also searched

dress clothing outfit apparel nudity garb

Nearby words

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