garb

[gahrb]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of garb¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of garb¹

C16: from Old French garbe graceful contour, from Old Italian garbo grace, probably of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

She's even wholeheartedly thrown herself into a theme when the occasion requires it, once dressing up in medieval garb for a wedding at Bolton Castle.

From BBC

In it, he wears his finest Uncle Sam garb and points at viewers, issuing a statement: “Kid Rock wants YOU to support Gavin Newsom.”

From Los Angeles Times

Excited by the sight of 2,000 men in military garb on the streets of an American city he hates, the president doubled the number, and then ordered 700 active duty Marines to join them.

From Salon

In 2006, the quadruple-platinum “Black Parade” LP arrived as a concept album about a dying cancer patient; Way and his bandmates dressed in military garb that made them look like members of Satan’s marching band.

From Los Angeles Times

“Historically, Korean shamans are mostly women, which was kind of perfect for us. They were women, but they actually wore male garb, so they were dressed looking like men.”

From Salon

Related Words

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