frock

American  

[frok] / frɒk /

noun

1. a gown or dress worn by a girl or woman.

2. a loose outer garment worn by peasants and workers; smock.

3. a coarse outer garment with large sleeves, worn by monks.

4. frock coat.

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verb (used with object)

1. to provide with, or clothe in, a frock.

2. to invest with priestly or clerical office.

frock British  

/ frɒk /

noun

1. a girl's or woman's dress

2. a loose garment of several types, such as a peasant's smock

3. a coarse wide-sleeved outer garment worn by members of some religious orders

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verb

1. (tr) to invest (a person) with the office or status of a cleric

Other Word Forms

• frockless
  adjective
• underfrock
  noun

Etymology

Origin of frock

1300–50; Middle English froke < Old French froc < Frankish; compare Old Saxon, Old High German hroc coat

Explanation

Use the noun frock as an old-fashioned way to say "dress." You might wear a new pink frock to your best friend's birthday party. Typically, girls and women wear frocks, especially to formal events like weddings and fancy parties. The word frock isn't as common today as it was in the past, though it's a great way to refer to a dress. You can also call a monk's loose, long-sleeved garment a frock. The word's origin is Germanic, and it comes directly from the French word froc, "a monk's habit."

Example Sentences

They’re available through her website, Etsy and locally in Frock Shop, a shop that sells both vintage and new items on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood.

From Washington Times • Dec. 28, 2015

In the morning at the Hotel Sea Queen, Ammu—who had dreamed at night of dolphins and a deep blue—helped Rahel to put on her frothy Airport Frock.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Estha—with some basis, it must be admitted—said that Rahel looked stupid in her Airport Frock.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Up to the time that they moved into the Arcadian Flats and began to take Orders from the Janitor, he never had seen little Sunshine except in her Evening Frock.

From People You Know by Ade, George

I have the very Frock for you, just new come from London, a lustrous thing will make you glow & Sparkle like a Ruby.

From A Woman Named Smith by Oemler, Marie Conway

Related Words

• apron
• gown
• robe