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

Tariffs have played a role, but a muted one, pushing up prices for goods such as furniture and apparel.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The maker of t-shirts, underwear and other basic apparel produces the bulk of its apparel in Central America, giving it the ability to manufacture and ship items faster than if it were made in Asia.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Set Active devotees applauded when the hot fitness apparel brand announced a limited-release drop of pink clothing slated for Oct.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She also recently launched her own sports apparel and lifestyle brand, KT.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He noted that there were signs of inflation in core goods, like furniture and apparel — areas hit by tariffs.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• dress 
• equipment 
• garment 
• gear