Word
frock
US/ˈfɹɑk/
UK/fɹˈɒk/
Definitions
01a dress
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English · Informal
n. an older or more formal word for a woman's or girl's dress.
n. a woman's or girl's dress; now frequently used with a nostalgic or slightly formal tone, particularly in British English.
“She wore a pretty floral frock to the summer garden party.”
“The boutique specialised in vintage-inspired frocks that captured the aesthetic of the mid-twentieth century.”
Teaching tip
While common in the UK and Australia, American speakers usually prefer 'dress'. It can sound slightly old-fashioned to younger speakers.
02clerical robe
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. the long, loose piece of clothing worn by a priest or monk.
n. a long, loose outer garment with large sleeves, worn by monks or priests.
“The monk pulled his heavy woollen frock tighter as he walked through the cold stone hallway.”
“The historical drama was praised for its attention to detail, specifically the authentic texture of the clerical frocks worn by the bishops.”
03to become a priest
C2 · Proficiency Religion Formal · Technical
v. to officially make someone a priest or a member of the clergy.
v. to invest someone with clerical office or to clothe them in a clerical habit.
“He was frocked in a small ceremony at the cathedral last Sunday.”
“The bishop intended to frock the new candidates during the Michaelmas service, following years of rigorous theological study.”
Usage
The antonyms 'unfrock' or 'defrock' are much more common in modern news when a priest is removed from office.
Teaching tip
This verb is rare; students are more likely to encounter the opposite, 'defrocked', in news reports about scandals.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“This was partly because he was going out with Austin, and partly because it was the glam rock era, when any self-respecting male pop star wore makeup, high heels and frocks.” “A change of frock later Blue returned to the stage, microphone in hand, and powered rather self-indulgently through four Great American Songbook standards.” Etymology
From Middle English frok, frokke, from Old French froc (“frock, a monk's gown or habit”), perhaps via Medieval Latin hrocus, roccus, rocus (“a coat”), from Frankish hrokk (“skirt, dress, robe”), from Proto-Germanic hrukkaz (“robe, jacket, skirt, tunic”), from Proto-Indo-European *kreḱ- (“to weave”). Cognate with Old High German hroch, roch (“skirt, dress, cowl”) – whence German Rock (“skirt, coat”) –, Saterland Frisian Rok (“skirt”), Dutch rok (“skirt, petticoat”), Old English rocc (“an overgarment, tunic, rochet”), Old Norse rokkr (“skirt, jacket”), whence Danish rok (“garment”).
From Middle English frock, froke, from Old Norse frauki (“frog”), related to Old English frocga (“frog”). More at frog.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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