attire
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
clothes or apparel, especially rich or splendid garments.
-
the horns of a deer.
verb
noun
-
clothes or garments, esp if fine or decorative
-
the antlers of a mature male deer
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
attiresimple
-
attiressimple
-
have attiredperfect
-
has attiredperfect
-
am attiringprogressive
-
are attiringprogressive
-
is attiringprogressive
-
have been attiringperfect progressive
-
has been attiringperfect progressive
Past
-
attiredsimple
-
had attiredperfect
-
was attiringprogressive
-
were attiringprogressive
-
had been attiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of attire
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English atiren < Anglo-French atirer, Old French atirier, verbal derivative of a tire into a row or rank ( see a- 3, tier 1); (noun) Middle English atir < Anglo-French, noun derivative of the v.
Explanation
The noun attire is just a formal way to say "outfit." And if you’re going outside in the middle of a blizzard, your attire should include more than a bathing suit and flip-flops. Attire can also refer to the antlers of a deer, but that’s a pretty obscure definition. So let's stick to the more common uses: put it into verb form and it means "to dress or clothe." Which makes sense, since it comes to us from the Old French atirier, meaning “to equip, ready or prepare.” Charles Dickens wrote that “Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire" — meaning the clothes do not make the man.
Vocabulary lists containing attire
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Beowulf vocabulary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Attire must be “formal or cocktail” and only black, white or silver.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025
Attire is the same as black tie but with colors or embellishment added for a bit more dazzle.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 26, 2022
The Attire The bride wore a sparkly champagne-colored gown by Monique Lhuillier and a white veil.
From New York Times • May 27, 2022
Gamel Zakoul, who started his brand Head Attire Trendsetter about a year ago, didn’t expect to be selling his products, which range from fedora hats to unisex apparel, at a bricks-and-mortar store so soon.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2021
Hie to thy dressing-room, and I’ll to mine— Attire thee for the altar—so will I. Whoe’er may claim me, thou’rt the man shall have me.
From The Hunchback by Morley, Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
