apparel

American  

[uh-par-uhl] / əˈpær əl /

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.

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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 British  

/ əˈpærəl /

noun

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

2. nautical a vessel's gear and equipment

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of apparel

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

Example Sentences

Las Vegas-based Total Promotion Company has struggled this year with tariffs on the imports it needs to make promotional merchandise, including apparel, pens and bags, largely for small- to midsize businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Electronics and apparel are hot gifts, while home decor and home improvement remain tepid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spars herself is the proud owner of a Baggu x Peanuts earbuds case and is regularly gifted Snoopy apparel and accessories.

From Los Angeles Times

Even though its operating margins have compressed lately below 20%, the company remains highly profitable with margins that look more like luxury stocks than apparel brands.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, some apparel makers are focusing on designing athleisure garments that boost health and wellness.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dress
• equipment
• garment
• gear