# uniform

/ˈjunəˌfɔɹm/ (US) · /jˈuːnɪfˌɔːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uniform
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. identifying clothing

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- The students must wear their school uniform every day except for Friday.
- The airline updated its staff uniform to include more breathable fabrics suitable for long-haul flights in various climates.

### 2. a police officer

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- The detective asked a uniform to stand guard at the front door.
- The sergeant requested two uniforms to secure the perimeter while the forensics team processed the interior of the building.

### 3. unvarying or consistent

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

staying the same in all cases or at all times.

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

- The bricks were all a uniform size and shape, making the wall very easy to build.
- The committee sought a uniform approach to the grading system to ensure that students across different departments were evaluated fairly.

### 4. mathematical/scientific consistency

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The heat was uniform across the entire surface of the metal plate.
- The researcher noted that the particles were of uniform density, which simplified the subsequent fluid dynamics calculations.

### 5. to provide with a uniform

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- The students must wear a blue uniform to school.
- The airline requires all cabin crew members to keep their uniform clean and professional during every flight.
- While the military uniform serves a practical purpose in the field, its primary function during the parade is to project a sense of absolute discipline and unity.

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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.