undress

American  

[uhn-dres] / ʌnˈdrɛs /

verb (used with object)

undressed, undrest, undressing

1. to take the clothes off (a person); disrobe.

2. to remove the dressing from (a wound, sore, etc.).

3. to strip or divest of or as if of a covering; expose.

   to undress a pretense.

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verb (used without object)

undressed, undrest, undressing

1. to take off one's clothes.

noun

1. dress of a style designed to be worn on other than highly formal or ceremonial occasions; informal dress as opposed to full dress.

2. dress of a style not designed to be worn in public; dishabille; negligee.

   She couldn't receive guests in such a state of undress.

3. the condition of being unclothed; nakedness.

adjective

1. of or relating to clothing of a style less formal than full dress.

   undress uniform.

2. characterized by informality of dress, manners, or the like.

   an undress dinner party.

undress British  

verb

1. to take off clothes from (oneself or another)

2. (tr) to strip of ornamentation

3. (tr) to remove the dressing from (a wound)

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noun

1. partial or complete nakedness

2. informal or normal working clothes or uniform

adjective

1. characterized by or requiring informal or normal working dress or uniform

Etymology

Origin of undress

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + dress

Related Words

• disrobe
• unmask