undress
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to take the clothes off (a person); disrobe.
-
to remove the dressing from (a wound, sore, etc.).
-
to strip or divest of or as if of a covering; expose.
to undress a pretense.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
dress of a style designed to be worn on other than highly formal or ceremonial occasions; informal dress as opposed to full dress.
-
dress of a style not designed to be worn in public; dishabille; negligee.
She couldn't receive guests in such a state of undress.
-
the condition of being unclothed; nakedness.
adjective
-
of or relating to clothing of a style less formal than full dress.
undress uniform.
-
characterized by informality of dress, manners, or the like.
an undress dinner party.
verb
-
to take off clothes from (oneself or another)
-
(tr) to strip of ornamentation
-
(tr) to remove the dressing from (a wound)
noun
-
partial or complete nakedness
-
informal or normal working clothes or uniform
adjective
Etymology
Origin of undress
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Butt or buck, the Lakers are showing that they can undress a defense.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2025
They further claim that, once in the home, the men were told to undress in the kitchen, and then to warm their hands with hot water or on a radiator.
From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024
The military said it makes detainees undress to search for explosives, bringing detainees into Israel before releasing them back into Gaza if they’re deemed innocent.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2024
“I had to undress to my underwear for a short period, it was very uncomfortable. They did not want to let me use the bathroom, for example.”
From Washington Post • Jan. 4, 2023
“Do you think buzzards are going to undress Damuddy.”
From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
