gown

American  

[goun] / gaʊn /

noun

1. a woman's dress or robe, especially one that is full-length.

   Synonyms:

   frock

2. nightgown.

3. dressing gown.

4. evening gown.

5. a loose, flowing outer garment in any of various forms, worn by a man or woman as distinctive of office, profession, or status.

   an academic gown.

6. the student and teaching body in a university or college town.

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verb (used with object)

1. to dress in a gown.

gown British  

/ ɡaʊn /

noun

1. any of various outer garments, such as a woman's elegant or formal dress, a dressing robe, or a protective garment, esp one worn by surgeons during operations

2. a loose wide garment indicating status, such as worn by academics

3. the members of a university as opposed to the other residents of the university town Compare town

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verb

1. (tr) to supply with or dress in a gown

gown Idioms  

1. see cap and gown; town and gown.

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Related Words

See dress.

Other Word Forms

• ungowned adjective

Etymology

Origin of gown

1300–50; Middle English goune < Old French < Late Latin gunna fur or leather garment

Example Sentences

Courtney rips the IV from her arm and escapes, barefoot and in a hospital gown.

From Salon

But the few times they’re forced to play their hurt feelings sincerely are as forced as the moment when Grace zips her gory wedding gown back on before it’s even been washed.

From Los Angeles Times

It says that shortages of masks, gloves and gowns meant that doctors and nurses had to work in "inadequate" conditions that put them at risk.

From BBC

A long gown and a plumed hat brushing both sides of the narrow stairs.

From Literature

The door opened wider, and we saw then a lady in a dressing gown, coming down a huge wide staircase, and then hurrying towards us across the hallway.

From Literature

Related Words

• costume
• frock
• garb
• garment