undress

[uhn-dres]

verb (used with object)

undressed, undrest, undressing. 

1. to take the clothes off (a person); disrobe.

2. to remove the dressing from (a wound, sore, etc.).

3. to strip or divest of or as if of a covering; expose.

   to undress a pretense.

verb (used without object)

undressed, undrest, undressing. 

1. to take off one's clothes.

noun

1. dress of a style designed to be worn on other than highly formal or ceremonial occasions; informal dress as opposed to full dress.

2. dress of a style not designed to be worn in public; dishabille; negligee.

   She couldn't receive guests in such a state of undress.

3. the condition of being unclothed; nakedness.

adjective

1. of or relating to clothing of a style less formal than full dress.

   undress uniform.

2. characterized by informality of dress, manners, or the like.

   an undress dinner party.

undress

verb

1. to take off clothes from (oneself or another)

2. (tr) to strip of ornamentation

3. (tr) to remove the dressing from (a wound)

noun

1. partial or complete nakedness

2. informal or normal working clothes or uniform

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring informal or normal working dress or uniform

Word History and Origins

Origin of undress¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + dress

Example Sentences

Some 26 nurses signed a letter complaining of Rose's use of and conduct within the changing room, with Rose telling the tribunal the allegations, which included staring at women getting undressed, were "false".

Read more on BBC

Upheld claims against Wallace include one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.

Read more on BBC

Of those, 45 were upheld, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress.

Read more on BBC

His dismissal followed a report that upheld more than 40 allegations about his conduct on MasterChef, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress.

Read more on BBC

They include scenes of people dying after being forcibly infected by venomous fleas and of experiments to induce frostbite by leaving undressed people outside to freeze.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disrobe 
• unmask