ENGLISH
REFERENCE

garb

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɑɹb// UK //ɡˈɑːb// garb

n. a specific style of clothing, especially when it is unusual or belongs to a certain job or group.

n. a distinctive style or form of clothing, often associated with a particular profession, rank, or occasion. Frequently carries a literary or formal tone.


SIMPLE

The actors were dressed in traditional medieval garb.

CONTEXTUAL

The scientist swapped her usual lab garb for a formal suit to present her findings at the international conference.

COMPLEX

Despite the modern setting of the play, the director chose to dress the chorus in ancient Greek garb to emphasize the timeless nature of the tragedy.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle French garbe ("graceful outline, silhouette"; > Modern French galbe), from Italian garbo (“grace, elegance”), from Germanic (compare Old High German garwi, garawi (“dress, equipment, preparation”), Middle High German gerwe (“outfitting, jewelry, clothing, robe, regalia”), modern German Gärbe, Gerbe and English gear), ultimately from Frankish garwijan (“to prepare”), from Proto-Germanic garwijaną (“to prepare”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English garbe, from Old French garbe, variant of jarbe; akin to German Garbe. Doublet of gerbe.

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