tea gown

American  

noun

1. a semiformal gown of fine material, especially one styled with soft, flowing lines, worn for afternoon social occasions.

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tea gown British  

noun

1. (formerly) a long loose decorative dress worn esp when entertaining guests to afternoon tea

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Etymology

Origin of tea gown

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

One model wore a floral tea gown with furry slippers—a supple combination of thirties débutante and fifties housewife.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 12, 2016

Mother Hallam does not approve of this son's wife, her sculpture her tea gown, her furniture which "does not match."

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Bryant made a tea gown in which the bodice was attached by an elastic band to an accordion-plaited skirt.

From Time Magazine Archive

I suspect it is the property of Countess Andrenyi, since her luggage contained only a chiffon negligee so. elaborate as to be more a tea gown than a dressing gown.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

You can slip away and get into a tea gown before you meet them, if they are coming to supper.

From Holiday Stories for Young People by Sangster, Margaret Elizabeth