# dresser

/ˈdɹɛsɝ/ (US) · /dɹˈɛsɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dresser
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 3. a person who wears clothes

noun · CEFR B2

someone who wears clothes in a particular style, such as a 'smart dresser'.

For teachers: an individual characterized by the style, quality, or manner of their attire.

- My grandfather was always a sharp dresser who never left home without a tie.
- Even in a casual office environment, he remained a meticulous dresser, favoring tailored shirts and polished leather shoes.

Usage: Usually modified by an adjective like 'smart', 'sharp', or 'sloppy'.

### 4. theatre assistant

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person whose job is to help actors put on their costumes during a play or film.

For teachers: a theatrical or cinematic assistant responsible for maintaining costumes and assisting performers with rapid clothing changes.

- The lead actress had a personal dresser to help her with the heavy Victorian gown.
- During the three-minute intermission, the dresser worked with frantic precision to ensure the protagonist was ready for the final act.

### 5. medical assistant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a person who helps a doctor by cleaning and covering wounds.

For teachers: a medical assistant or student who assists a surgeon, particularly in the application of bandages and wound care.

- The surgeon asked the dresser to finish bandaging the patient's leg.
- The senior consultant was accompanied by a surgical dresser who managed the sterile field and prepared the necessary dressings for the post-operative dressings.

Teaching tip: This term is somewhat dated in general medicine but persists in specific clinical or historical contexts.

## Examples

- I keep my socks in the top drawer of the dresser.
- She placed a framed photograph and a small lamp on the dresser next to her bed.
- The antique oak dresser featured intricate hand-carved details and heavy brass handles that suggested it had been passed down through several generations of the family.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.