robe

American  

[rohb] / roʊb /

noun

1. a long, loose or flowing gown or outer garment worn by men or women as ceremonial dress, an official vestment, or garb of office.

2. any long, loose garment, especially one for wear while lounging or preparing to dress, as a bathrobe or dressing gown.

3. a woman's gown or dress, especially of a more elaborate kind.

   a robe for the evening.

4. robes, apparel in general; dress; costume.

5. a piece of fur, cloth, knitted work, etc., used as a blanket, covering, or wrap.

   a buffalo robe; a lap robe.

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verb (used with object)

robed, robing

1. to clothe or invest with a robe or robes; dress; array.

verb (used without object)

robed, robing

1. to put on a robe.

robe British  

/ rəʊb /

noun

1. any loose flowing garment, esp the official vestment of a peer, judge, or academic

2. a dressing gown or bathrobe

3. informal a wardrobe

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verb

1. to put a robe, etc, on (oneself or someone else); dress

Other Word Forms

• robeless adjective
• rober noun
• underrobe noun

Etymology

Origin of robe

1225–75; Middle English < Old French: originally, spoil, booty < Germanic (akin to rob ); compare Old High German roub > German Raub

Example Sentences

The first step requires Ilana to change into a robe, undressing on top of pads placed on the floor so each item of clothing can be packaged into separate bags and collected as evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Many people in our troubled country are apparently so eager for peace that they’ll join barefoot monks in colorful robes in walking halfway across the continent.

From Salon

There were pieces that looked as if they belonged in the Middle Ages, dresses covered in lace and golden thread, feather boas, jackets covered in stripes, canes with metal heads, robes fit for Merlin himself.

From Literature

Yet she’s also a protein-loading weight-lifting buff who favors all-black outfits and clear opinions, not a robed oracle speaking in riddles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mom emerged from her bedroom, tying the belt of her robe.

From Literature

Related Words

• bathrobe
• costume
• dress
• frock
• garment
• kimono
• vestment