apparel
- clothing, especially outerwear; garments; attire; raiment.
- anything that decorates or covers.
- superficial appearance; aspect; guise.
- Nautical. the masts, sails, anchor, etc., used to equip a vessel.
- Ecclesiastical. a piece of embroidery, usually oblong, on certain vestments, especially on the alb or amice.
- to dress or clothe.
- to adorn; ornament.
- Nautical. to equip (a vessel) with apparel.
Origin of apparel
Synonyms
See more synonyms for apparel on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for apparel
Contemporary Examples
As a test, Sun shipped over a container stuffed with apparel made in his home province.
The American Apparel adverts are deemed tacky and offensive because they dramatize, brazenly, the sex-drenched time we live in.
The reliance on ever-lower wages is a big problem for apparel companies.
The new line will accompany an already existing collection of apparel and accessories by Authentic Brands Group.
Protest Mounts Against Rick Ross for Reebok; Zara Comes Under Fire for Slave Labor ClaimsThe Fashion Beast Team
April 21, 2013
Critics and listeners were left confused whether Paisley was apologizing for his apparel or justifying it with his bizarre lyrics.
'Accidental Racist': Brad Paisley and LL Cool J Duet on the Confederacy in New TrackJean Trinh
April 8, 2013
Historical Examples
There was no forgetting the flamboyant brilliancy of her apparel.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
Invention has no vacation so far as ladies' apparel is concerned.
Jennie Baxter, JournalistRobert Barr
His death had made as little change in her apparel as in her general life.
The Strolling SaintRaphael Sabatini
In beauty of person and richness of apparel he was well worthy of the company of Valentina.
Love-at-ArmsRaphael Sabatini
Thorpe wondered if it would be possible to consult her upon the question of apparel.
The Market-PlaceHarold Frederic
apparel
- something that covers or adorns, esp outer garments or clothing
- nautical a vessel's gear and equipment
- archaic (tr) to clothe, adorn, etc
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for apparel
v.
mid-13c., "to equip (in any way)," from Old French apareillier (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *appariculare. This is either from Latin apparare "prepare, make ready" (see apparatus), or from Vulgar Latin *ad-particulare "to put things together." The meaning "to attire in proper clothing" is from mid-14c. Cognate with Italian aparecchiare, Spanish aparejar, Portuguese aparelhar. Related: Appareled; apparelled; appareling; apparelling.
n.
"personal outfit or attire," early 14c., also "ship's rigging," from Old French apareil "preparation," from apareillier (see apparel (v.)). Earlier in same sense was apparelment (early 14c.).