dressed
dressed
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "dressed" is /drɛst/.
First Syllable: /drɛst/
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: dress
Third-person singular present: dresses
Past simple: dressed
Past participle: dressed
Present participle: dressing
Noun:
Singular: dress
Plural: dresses
Adjective:
dressed (functions as an adjective, often derived from the past participle of the verb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb (Past Tense / Past Participle of "to dress")
Definition 1: To have put on clothing or attire.
Synonyms: attired, clothed, garbed, robed
Antonyms: undressed, stripped, disrobed
Example: She quickly dressed for the party.
Definition 2: To have prepared or arranged something, especially food, by adding ingredients or making it ready for consumption.
Synonyms: seasoned, garnished, prepared, readied
Antonyms: unseasoned, unprepared
Example: The salad was perfectly dressed with a light vinaigrette.
Definition 3: To have applied a covering or treatment to a wound or injury.
Synonyms: bandaged, treated, tended, covered
Antonyms: uncovered, exposed, neglected
Example: The nurse carefully dressed the patient's wound.
Definition 4: To have arranged one's hair or appearance in a particular way.
Synonyms: styled, arranged, coiffed, groomed
Antonyms: unkempt, disheveled
Example: He had his hair neatly dressed for the interview.
Adjective
Definition 1: Wearing clothes, especially formal or specific attire.
Synonyms: attired, clothed, garbed, formally clad
Antonyms: undressed, naked, bare
Example: The guests were all beautifully dressed for the occasion.
Definition 2: (Of food) Prepared with added ingredients, such as a sauce, seasoning, or garnish.
Synonyms: seasoned, sauced, garnished, prepared
Antonyms: plain, unseasoned, undressed
Example: I prefer my green beans lightly dressed with butter and herbs.
Definition 3: (Of a wound or injury) Having a protective or therapeutic covering applied.
Synonyms: bandaged, covered, treated, protected
Antonyms: open, exposed, untreated
Example: The paramedic confirmed the wound was clean and properly dressed.
Examples of Use
Books:
"She was dressed in a simple white gown, her hair flowing down her back." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, August 2020)
"The detective, always immaculately dressed, surveyed the scene with a critical eye." (From The Guest List by Lucy Fokley, February 2021)
Newspapers:
"Hundreds gathered at the city hall, many dressed in vibrant traditional attire, to celebrate the cultural festival." (From an article in The Guardian)
"The company reported strong quarterly earnings, much of it attributed to their new line of ready-to-eat, pre-dressed salads." (From The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to create a perfectly dressed charcuterie board for your next gathering." (From Bon Appétit online)
"The fashion influencer shared her tips for getting dressed quickly on busy mornings." (From Who What Wear online)
"The actor was dressed head-to-toe in a custom-made suit, turning heads on the red carpet." (From Vogue online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series (e.g., Bridgerton): Characters are frequently seen "beautifully dressed" in Regency-era fashion for balls and social events. (Netflix, December 2020)
Film (e.g., Knives Out): The character of Ransom Drysdale is often described as impeccably dressed, even when trying to appear nonchalant. (Lionsgate, November 2019)
Music Lyrics (e.g., "Fancy" by Reba McEntire): "I was dressed to the nines" (MCA Nashville, 1991)
Video Games (e.g., The Sims 4): Players can customize their Sims by choosing how they are "dressed" for various occasions, from everyday wear to formal attire. (Electronic Arts, September 2014)
General Public Discourse:
"My dog got dressed up in a little costume for Halloween last year, it was adorable!" (Casual conversation)
"You need to get dressed for dinner, we're leaving in ten minutes." (Everyday instruction)
"The paramedic quickly dressed the cut on his arm." (Describing medical care)
"I always make sure my chicken salad is well dressed with plenty of mayonnaise and celery." (Talking about food preparation)
10 Quotes Using Dressed
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." (Thomas A. Edison)
"You're never fully dressed without a smile." (Martin Charnin, Annie)
"Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress." (Karl Lagerfeld)
"A woman is closest to being naked when she is well-dressed." (Coco Chanel)
"You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure." (Zig Ziglar)
"Being perfectly well-dressed gives a feeling of tranquility that religion is powerless to bestow." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up." (Regina Brett)
"Ladies dress to kill, not realizing fashion is ill." (John Joclebs Bassey)
"I'm gonna get dressed for success." (Roxette, "Dressed for Success" lyrics)
Etymology
The word "dressed" comes from the verb "to dress," which has a surprisingly broad history of meanings before it became mainly associated with putting on clothes.
Its journey begins in Latin with the word directus, meaning "direct" or "straight." This then evolved into the Vulgar Latin (the common spoken Latin) term *directiare, which meant "to make straight" or "to guide."
From there, it entered Old French as dresser or drecier around the year 1300. At this point, it still had a very general meaning of "to set up," "to arrange," "to prepare," or "to make straight." Think of "dressing" a table by setting it, or "dressing" a wound by preparing it with a bandage. Even "dressing" soldiers means aligning them in a straight line.
The first known use of the verb "dress" in English with these broader meanings can be traced back to before 1325.
It wasn't until a bit later, in the late 14th century, that the meaning of "to put on clothing" started to develop. So, while today "dressed" almost always makes us think of clothes, its original sense was much more about preparation, order, and getting things "straight" or "ready" in various ways.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Dressed
Dressed to the nines: Dressed very elegantly or stylishly.
Dressed for success: Wearing clothing that is intended to create a professional and capable impression.
Dressed to kill: Wearing very fashionable or striking clothes, intended to make a strong impression.
Dressed down: Wearing casual or less formal clothing. (Also, to be reprimanded).
Dressed up: Wearing more formal or special clothing than usual.
Dressed to the teeth: Dressed in elaborate or excessive clothing and accessories.
Get dressed: To put on clothes.
Cross-dressed: To wear clothing typically associated with the opposite gender.
Dressed-down Friday: A workplace practice where employees are permitted to wear more casual clothing on Fridays.
Well-dressed: Neatly and stylishly clothed.
Dressed and ready: Fully clothed and prepared to depart or begin an activity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of dressed from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
