Dress up Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dress up

[drɛs ʌp ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

for a special event

To put on special clothes or costumes, often for a party, event, or performance. It involves wearing fancy or formal attire to enhance one's appearance.

Synonyms

adorn, array, attire, deck out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dress up	Used when someone is putting on special or formal clothes for an occasion like a party, event, or celebration. We need to dress up for the wedding. They love to dress up for Halloween.
adorn	Used when adding decorative items to something to make it look more beautiful. Often used for objects, places, or people. The hall was adorned with balloons and streamers. She adorned her hair with flowers.
attire	Formal or official way to describe the clothes someone is wearing, often used for specific types of dress such as business attire or evening attire. He arrived in his best business attire. The invitation specified formal attire.
array	Typically used in a more formal or literary context to describe someone being dressed in impressive or beautiful clothes. The king was arrayed in his finest robes. She was arrayed in a stunning red gown.
deck out	Colloquial and casual, this phrase is often used to describe someone or something being decorated elaborately. Can be used for people, places, or objects. They really decked out the house for Christmas. She was decked out in her grandmother's jewelry.

Examples of usage

She likes to dress up for Halloween parties.
The actors dressed up in historical costumes for the play.
We're going to dress up as superheroes for the costume party.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to improve appearance

To make oneself or someone else look more attractive or formal by wearing stylish or elegant clothing.

Synonyms

slick up, smarten up, spruce up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dress up	Similar to the previous entry, this can also mean to disguise oneself, often for events like costume parties or theatrical performances. The kids want to dress up as superheroes for the play. He dressed up as a pirate for the costume party.
smarten up	Means to make oneself look more tidy and presentable, often used when someone needs to improve their appearance for professional or formal situations. He needs to smarten up before the job interview. You should smarten up for the meeting with the client.
spruce up	Suggests making improvements to one's clothing or appearance, often used when referring to quick or small changes to look better, can also refer to tidying or cleaning a place or thing. She decided to spruce up her outfit with a new scarf. We need to spruce up the living room before the guests arrive.
slick up	Has a slightly casual or informal tone, and often suggests making oneself look clean and neat, usually for a somewhat relaxed occasion. He decided to slick up a bit for the date. She slicked up her hair before going out.

Examples of usage

She decided to dress up for the job interview.
He dressed up in a suit and tie for the wedding.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

clothing

A set of clothes chosen to give a particular impression or to suit a specific occasion. It can refer to formal wear or costumes worn for events or performances.

Synonyms

attire, costume, garb, outfit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dress up	Used when someone is wearing clothes that are nicer or more formal than usual, often for special occasions. We need to dress up for the wedding. She dressed up as a princess for the costume party.
attire	A more formal way to refer to clothing, often used in professional or ceremonial contexts. The invitation specified formal attire. Business attire is required for the meeting.
outfit	A set of clothes worn together, often more casual, and can be used to refer to both everyday and special occasions. She picked out a cute outfit for the day. His outfit was perfect for the summer party.
costume	Refers to clothing worn to look like someone or something else, often for performances, parties, or holidays like Halloween. He wore a pirate costume to the Halloween party. The actor's costume was very detailed.
garb	A somewhat old-fashioned or formal term for clothing, often used to describe traditional or distinctive dress. He wore the traditional garb of a monk. Her elaborate garb caught everyone's attention.

Examples of usage

She picked out a beautiful dress up for the gala.
The costume designer created stunning dress-ups for the actors in the movie.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, dressing up is part of special celebrations like weddings, where it signifies respect and joy.
Costumes are often worn during holidays like Halloween, allowing people to express creativity and explore new identities.

Psychology

Studies show that dressing well can improve confidence and affect your mood positively, often referred to as 'enclothed cognition.'
Dressing up for occasions can create a sense of belonging and social connection among people, strengthening relationships.

History

In the past, dressing up was often dictated by social class and profession, with specific styles denoting one's status in society.
The introduction of fashion magazines in the 19th century helped popularize dressing up as a trend, allowing more people to follow styles.

Pop Culture

Dress-up parties are common themes in movies and TV shows, highlighting the fun and creativity of transforming into other characters.
Fashion icons, like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, have inspired generations of people to explore unique styles and dress up trends.

Literature

In classic literature, characters often dress up to disguise themselves, creating suspense and unfolding new plot twists.
Children's stories frequently feature characters who ‘dress up’ to go on adventures, demonstrating how clothes can transform identity.

Origin of 'dress up'

The term 'dress up' dates back to the 16th century when it originally meant 'to put on one's best clothes.' Over time, it evolved to include wearing costumes or special attire for various occasions, such as parties, events, or theater performances. The concept of dressing up has been a part of human culture for centuries, reflecting social norms, fashion trends, and the desire to enhance one's appearance.