# gown

/ˈɡaʊn/ (US) · /ɡˈaʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gown
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. formal dress

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- She wore a stunning silk gown to the charity ball last night.
- The designer spent months hand-stitching the intricate lace onto the bridal gown for the royal wedding.

### 2. academic or legal robe

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

- The students put on their black gowns before the graduation ceremony began.
- In the British legal system, barristers are traditionally required to wear a wig and gown when appearing in open court.

### 3. medical protective clothing

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The surgeon put on a sterile gown and gloves before entering the operating room.
- Hospital protocols require all staff in the intensive care unit to wear disposable gowns to prevent the spread of infection.

### 4. the university community

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Literary

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

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

- The relationship between town and gown has improved over the last decade.
- The annual festival aims to bridge the historical divide between the town's permanent residents and the university gown.

### 5. to put on a gown

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to put on a formal or professional gown.

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

- The graduates were gowned and ready for the procession to start.
- After being gowned by his assistants, the high priest stepped out to address the waiting congregation.

## Examples

- She wore a beautiful silk gown to the charity ball.
- The graduates lined up in their black caps and gowns to receive their diplomas.
- The museum's textile collection features several hand-stitched evening gowns from the Victorian era, showcasing the intricate lace and heavy velvet popular among the elite of that period.

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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.