Synonyms

donned

American

[dond] / dɒnd /

adjective

put on, applied, or assumed.

Clad only in a hastily donned jacket and sneakers, I followed the others out into the snow.
We stood with our binoculars, watching the warblers in their freshly donned breeding plumage.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of don.

Etymology

Origin of donned

First recorded in 1830–40; don ² + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; don ² + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most nights, after her husband, Carlos Manzo, tucked their small sons into bed, he donned a bullet-resistant vest, made the sign of the cross and strode out into the night.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

The 23 senators present donned maroon velvet robes Monday and swore to "do impartial justice according to the constitution and the laws of the Philippines" at the trial.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

After opening a new coast guard station later in the day, the King donned his sunglasses as he climbed up the boarding steps for his flight home - and bid the British overseas territory farewell.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Recently she donned a unicorn horn alongside baristas making Unicorn Frappuccinos at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, where the chain was a first-time sponsor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

I donned my best gown and a high-necked bodice, not daring to appear immodest I dressed my hair, tucking it beneath a silk coif embroidered with flowers.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023