garb

American  

[gahrb] / gɑrb /

noun

1. a fashion or mode of dress, especially of a distinctive, uniform kind.

   in the garb of a monk.

   Synonyms:

   cut, style

2. wearing apparel; clothes.

   Synonyms:

   attire, costume, dress, clothing

3. outward appearance or form.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to dress; clothe.

garb British  

/ ɡɑːb /

noun

1. clothes, esp the distinctive attire of an occupation or profession

   clerical garb

2. style of dress; fashion

3. external appearance, covering, or attire

---

verb

1. (tr) to clothe or cover; attire

Other Word Forms

• garbless adjective
• undergarb noun
• ungarbed adjective

Etymology

Origin of garb

1585–95; < Middle French garbe graceful outline < Old Italian garbo grace < Germanic; compare Old High German garawen, Old English gearwian to prepare, adorn ( gar ² ), gear

Example Sentences

Daedone, who wore tan jail garb and leg shackles, looked serene throughout the proceeding.

From The Wall Street Journal

Maduro, 63 years old, wore loose-fitting, tan jail garb and his legs were shackled.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Mexican immigration agents who had guarded the group on their three-day trip from the border said their charges, still dressed in the prison garb of detainees, were now free to go.

From Los Angeles Times

He became a fixture on television news, wearing either military style tactical gear or a long, double-breasted green overcoat with wide lapels that critics said was meant to echo Nazi German military garb.

From Barron's

Though set in Ghost Town with period garb, there are modern flourishes, such as tongue-in-cheek nods to the theme park’s attractions and a damsel in distress who ultimately proves to be anything but.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apparel
• attire
• costume
• dress
• duds
• garment
• uniform