ENGLISH
REFERENCE

uniform

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈjunəˌfɔɹm// UK //jˈuːnɪfˌɔːm// uni·form
  1. 1 identifying clothing (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a special set of clothes worn by people who belong to the same group, like a school or the army.

    a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a specific organisation to signify membership or rank.

    Example

    The students must wear their school uniform every day except for Friday.

    Example

    The airline updated its staff uniform to include more breathable fabrics suitable for long-haul flights in various climates.
    • plain clothes
    • civilian dress
  2. 2 a police officer (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Law

    a police officer who is wearing their official clothes rather than a detective in normal clothes.

    a metonymic reference to a uniformed police officer, typically used to distinguish patrol officers from plainclothes detectives.

    Example

    The detective asked a uniform to stand guard at the front door.

    Example

    The sergeant requested two uniforms to secure the perimeter while the forensics team processed the interior of the building.
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  1. 3 unvarying or consistent (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    staying the same in all cases or at all times.

    remaining the same in all cases and at all times; lacking in variation or diversity.

    Example

    The bricks were all a uniform size and shape, making the wall very easy to build.

    Example

    The committee sought a uniform approach to the grading system to ensure that students across different departments were evaluated fairly.
  2. 4 mathematical/scientific consistency (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    describing something that is spread evenly or follows the same rule everywhere.

    relating to a property that is consistent across a whole set or space, such as uniform distribution or convergence.

    Example

    The heat was uniform across the entire surface of the metal plate.

    Example

    The researcher noted that the particles were of uniform density, which simplified the subsequent fluid dynamics calculations.
  3. 5 to provide with a uniform (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    to give a group of people the same special clothes to wear.

    to clothe a group of individuals in a uniform; often used in historical or military contexts.

    Example

    The new company decided to uniform all its delivery drivers to look more professional.

    Example

    The revolutionary government struggled to uniform its disparate militia units, resulting in a ragtag appearance on the battlefield.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French uniforme, from Latin uniformis.

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