ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gown

n. · v.
US //ˈɡaʊn// UK //ɡˈaʊn// gown
  1. 1 formal dress (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a long, beautiful dress that a woman wears to a very formal party or event.

    a full-length, formal outer garment worn by women for evening events or ceremonies.

    Example

    She wore a stunning silk gown to the charity ball last night.

    Example

    The designer spent months hand-stitching the intricate lace onto the bridal gown for the royal wedding.
  2. 2 academic or legal robe (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    a long robe worn by students at a graduation or by judges and lawyers in court.

    a ceremonial robe signifying professional status, worn by members of a university, the judiciary, or the clergy.

    Example

    The students put on their black gowns before the graduation ceremony began.

    Example

    In the British legal system, barristers are traditionally required to wear a wig and gown when appearing in open court.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 medical protective clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

    a protective piece of clothing that doctors and nurses wear in a hospital.

    a protective garment worn by medical staff or patients in a clinical or surgical environment.

    Example

    The surgeon put on a sterile gown and gloves before entering the operating room.

    Example

    Hospital protocols require all staff in the intensive care unit to wear disposable gowns to prevent the spread of infection.
  2. 4 the university community (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Literary

    the people who belong to a university, like students and teachers.

    a metonym for the university community, often used in the phrase 'town and gown' to contrast students with local residents.

    Example

    The relationship between town and gown has improved over the last decade.

    Example

    The annual festival aims to bridge the historical divide between the town's permanent residents and the university gown.
  3. 5 to put on a gown (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

    to put on a formal or professional gown.

    to dress someone in a gown or to put one on oneself; often used in the passive or as a participle.

    Example

    The graduates were gowned and ready for the procession to start.

    Example

    After being gowned by his assistants, the high priest stepped out to address the waiting congregation.
Origin

From Middle English gowne, from Anglo-Norman goune, gune (“fur-trimmed coat, pelisse”), from Old French goune, from Late Latin gunna (“leather garment, a fur”). Cognate with Manx gooyn, Irish gúna.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference