dress rehearsal

American  

noun

1. a rehearsal of a play or other performance in costume and with scenery, properties, and lights arranged and operated as for a performance: often the final rehearsal.

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dress rehearsal British  

noun

1. the last complete rehearsal of a play or other work, using costumes, scenery, lighting, etc, as for the first night

2. any full-scale practice

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Etymology

Origin of dress rehearsal

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Gèlb surely has a seasoned Tosca on speed dial for tonight’s Dress rehearsal and Saturday premiere???

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2017

Dress rehearsal began with less than two hours to go.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

Dress rehearsal was called and became a fevered memory.

From The Cricket by Williams, J. Scott (John Scott)

Dress rehearsal was called at midnight, as two of the principals were playing in other theatres.

From Bambi by Cooke, Marjorie Benton

Related Words

• dry run
• rehearsal