apparel

[uh-par-uhl]

noun

1. clothing, especially outerwear; garments; attire; raiment.

   Synonyms: vesture, costume, garb, dress, clothes

2. anything that decorates or covers.

3. superficial appearance; aspect; guise.

4. Nautical.,  the masts, sails, anchor, etc., used to equip a vessel.

5. Ecclesiastical.,  a piece of embroidery, usually oblong, on certain vestments, especially on the alb or amice.

verb (used with object)

appareled, appareling , apparelled, apparelling .

1. to dress or clothe.

   Synonyms: array, outfit

2. to adorn; ornament.

3. Nautical.,  to equip (a vessel) with apparel.

apparel

/ əˈpærəl /

noun

1. something that covers or adorns, esp outer garments or clothing

2. nautical a vessel's gear and equipment

verb

1. archaic,  (tr) to clothe, adorn, etc

Other Word Forms

• overappareled adjective
• unappareled adjective
• well-appareled adjective
• well-apparelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparel¹

1200–50; Middle English appareillen < Old French apareillier to make fit, fit out < Vulgar Latin *appariculāre, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + *paricul ( us ) a fit ( par ¹ -cule ¹ ) + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparel¹

C13: from Old French apareillier to make ready, from Vulgar Latin appariculāre (unattested), from Latin apparāre, from parāre to prepare

Example Sentences

This four-month period also brings in a bulk of yearly sales for consumer goods companies such as packaged food makers and apparel manufacturers.

From BBC

Put on a poorly tailored suit and spit commentary on ESPN, sell workout apparel and underwear, or hawk rental cars in advertisements that make no sense; the options are limited, and they are bleak.

From Salon

The price increase Americans could see on everyday goods such as pet products and apparel depends on where the package is coming from and what portion of the import duty the shopper is responsible for.

From Los Angeles Times

The leadership change comes as rising prices and uncertainty over the knock-on effects of US tariffs have raised concerns over the impact on consumer spending, particularly for Target's discretionary products such as apparel and electronics.

From BBC

When deputies searched his vehicle, they allegedly found stolen medical equipment and hospital apparel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dress 
• equipment 
• garment 
• gear