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• full dress
  full dress

  noun

  the formal attire customarily worn in the evening, usually consisting of black tailcoats and white bow ties for men, and floor-length dresses for women.
• full-dress
  full-dress

  adjective

  formal and complete in all details.

full dress

¹ American  

noun

1. the formal attire customarily worn in the evening, usually consisting of black tailcoats and white bow ties for men, and floor-length dresses for women.

2. a ceremonial style of dress.

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full-dress ² American  

[fool-dres] / ˈfʊlˌdrɛs /

adjective

1. formal and complete in all details.

   a full-dress uniform.

2. done or presented completely or thoroughly.

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full dress British  

noun

1. 1. a formal or ceremonial style of dress, such as white tie and tails for a man and a full-length evening dress for a woman

   2. ( as modifier )

      full-dress uniform

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Etymology

Origin of full dress¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Origin of full-dress²

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

full dress full-dress

Yeoman of the Guard in full dress uniform have started their journey, and behind the scenes things are being prepared for the procession.

From BBC ● May 4, 2023

She met her future husband while appearing with him in operas in which she had only seen him in full dress in elderly roles.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2023

But to see him in full dress and going full go was impressive.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2021

The stage was set, then for a full dress rehearsal by the next crew to the launchpad.

From New York Times ● May 13, 2019

The aviators were resplendent in full dress as they drank cocktails in the anteroom before the call to dinner.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

The second was a dazzling full-dress demo normally provided only to potential corporate customers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026

“Any full-dress ruling would likely not come until the next term.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2025

When the inaugural class graduates in spring 2026, the Jesuit university wants a full-dress commencement within the prison.

From Washington Post ● May 18, 2022

The 18 paintings here are so rich and demanding, so challenging yet absorbing, that the prospect of a full-dress Guston retrospective can seem almost daunting.

From New York Times ● Sep. 9, 2021

Everyone is peevish and touchy, we do not take kindly to all this polishing, much less to the full-dress parades.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque