apparel

[ uh-par-uhl ]

noun

1. clothing, especially outerwear; garments; attire; raiment.

   Synonyms: vesture, costume, garb, dress, clothes

2. anything that decorates or covers.
3. superficial appearance; aspect; guise.
4. Nautical. the masts, sails, anchor, etc., used to equip a vessel.
5. Ecclesiastical. a piece of embroidery, usually oblong, on certain vestments, especially on the alb or amice.

verb (used with object)

, ap·par·eled, ap·par·el·ing or (especially British) ap·par·elled, ap·par·el·ling.

1. to dress or clothe.

   Synonyms: array, outfit

2. to adorn; ornament.
3. Nautical. to equip (a vessel) with apparel.

apparel

/ əˈpærəl /

noun

1. something that covers or adorns, esp outer garments or clothing
2. nautical a vessel's gear and equipment

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to clothe, adorn, etc

Other Words From

• over·ap·pareled adjective
• unap·pareled adjective
• well-ap·pareled adjective
• well-ap·parelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparel¹

1200–50; Middle English appareillen < Old French apareillier to make fit, fit out < Vulgar Latin *appariculāre, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + *paricul ( us ) a fit ( par ¹ -cule ¹ ) + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparel¹

C13: from Old French apareillier to make ready, from Vulgar Latin appariculāre (unattested), from Latin apparāre, from parāre to prepare

Example Sentences

He learned about the clinic from some of his friends whom he used to work with at Bella+Canvas, a local apparel manufacturer and wholesaler.

From Los Angeles Times

Alo’s sister company, Bella+Canvas, a wholesaler of basic apparel, also reached a milestone, selling directly to consumers through its website.

From New York Times

Industries such as automotive, electronics and apparel retail could face significant pressures under his proposed tariffs, according to a report by asset management company Janus Henderson.

From Salon

The UK-based start-up has targeted one of the dirtiest parts of the apparel industry - dyeing fabric - with the world’s first digital dyeing process.

From BBC

The company also sold off its its interests in a number of apparel brands and the former mall retailer Brookstone for about $236 million.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dress
• equipment
• garment
• gear