robe
Americannoun
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robes
plural
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a long, loose or flowing gown or outer garment worn by men or women as ceremonial dress, an official vestment, or garb of office.
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any long, loose garment, especially one for wear while lounging or preparing to dress, as a bathrobe or dressing gown.
-
a woman's gown or dress, especially of a more elaborate kind.
a robe for the evening.
-
robes, apparel in general; dress; costume.
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a piece of fur, cloth, knitted work, etc., used as a blanket, covering, or wrap.
a buffalo robe; a lap robe.
verb (used with object)
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robes,
present (3rd person singular)
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robed,
past participle, past
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robing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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robes,
present (3rd person singular)
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robed,
past participle, past
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robing
present participle
noun
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any loose flowing garment, esp the official vestment of a peer, judge, or academic
-
a dressing gown or bathrobe
-
informal a wardrobe
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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robesimple
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robessimple
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have robedperfect
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has robedperfect
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am robingprogressive
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are robingprogressive
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is robingprogressive
-
have been robingperfect progressive
-
has been robingperfect progressive
Past
-
robedsimple
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had robedperfect
-
was robingprogressive
-
were robingprogressive
-
had been robingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of robe
1225–75; Middle English < Old French: originally, spoil, booty < Germanic (akin to rob ); compare Old High German roub > German Raub
Explanation
A robe is a loose piece of clothing that you might wear over your pajamas or put on when you get out of the shower. Most robes tie around the waist with a fabric belt. There are dressier types of robes as well, like the ceremonial robes a judge wears in a courtroom or the elegant robes worn by a queen on a formal occasion. You can also use robe a verb, meaning "to dress or clothe," or literally "to put on a robe." Robe shares a Germanic root with rob, most likely from the idea that robbers would "take garments from the enemy as spoils or booty."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Standing on a concrete pedestal, the statue will depict the pontiff with open arms, wearing his long papal robe and a crucifix around his neck.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
“I live in a rural town, I don’t have access to European delis,” added Richoux, whose preferred way to enjoy caviar is on a weeknight, in a robe, before taking a bubble bath.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
At the casting call, I was handed a satin robe and pointed toward a small tent where I could change and a large tent with the photo crew inside.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
While she wore a white robe and slippers, Jake wore a black Under Armour top and shorts with white trainers.
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
In one spotlight, I saw Joey in his red robe and trunks.
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
"There is that promise of a better tomorrow," said Tinubu, wearing flowing robes printed with his red, white, blue and green All Progressives Congress party logo.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
Days before the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art officially opens, protesters from the Fair Games Coalition — wearing Jedi robes and Jar Jar Binks masks and carrying lightsabers — rallied together outside the new museum.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
Every year, thousands of people around the world don red robes – and in some cases long black wigs – for The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Comedian-turned-DJ Yoon Seong-ho, who performs under the stage name NewJeansNim in monk robes and mixes electronic music with chants, agrees there is a delicate balance.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
Nok glimpsed the sheen of the Governor’s robes, and then her mother snapped her fingers again.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
The manosphere’s sobriety is robed in strength and self-actualization, no different than the sleep routine, supplements, and squats that will sculpt the best version of you.
From Slate ● Feb. 15, 2026
Yet she’s also a protein-loading weight-lifting buff who favors all-black outfits and clear opinions, not a robed oracle speaking in riddles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
Kabawat briefly greets the robed and suited men standing in line to receive her.
From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026
Than Shwe became the top general, facing his own uprising in 2007 when the "Saffron Revolution" led by robed monks took up the pro-democracy mantle.
From Barron's ● Dec. 23, 2025
So I turned at the door: I saw a robed and veiled figure, so unlike my usual self that it seemed almost the image of a stranger.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Horror stories are regularly shared behind the closed doors of court robing rooms.
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026
The presiding judge in the lawsuit, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, was in his robing room when he heard shouting on the floor.
From Salon ● Dec. 14, 2023
In response to the note, the judge questioned the juror in her robing room with lawyers on both sides present.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 7, 2022
In response to the note, the judge questioned the juror in her robing room with lawyers on both side present.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2022
Maybe he merely brushed against me as he was robing off the bed.
From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
