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wardrobe

n. · v.
US //ˈwɔɹˌdɹoʊb// UK //wˈɔːdɹəʊb// wardrobe
  1. 1 furniture (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a tall cupboard or piece of furniture where you hang your clothes.

    a large, usually tall cupboard or freestanding cabinet used for storing clothes, typically featuring a rail for hangers.

    Example

    He hung his suits in the wooden wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom.

    Example

    The master bedroom features a massive built-in wardrobe with sliding mirrored doors that make the space appear much larger than it is.
  2. 2 collection of clothes (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    all the clothes that a person owns and wears.

    the entire collection of garments belonging to a particular person.

    Example

    She needed a new professional wardrobe for her first job at the bank.

    Example

    Investing in high-quality basics allows you to build a versatile wardrobe that remains stylish across multiple seasons.
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  1. 3 theatre/film department (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    the department in a theatre or film studio that looks after the costumes.

    the department or staff responsible for the costumes, accessories, and dressing of performers in a production.

    Example

    The actors went to wardrobe to get fitted for their period costumes.

    Example

    The wardrobe supervisor spent weeks researching historical textiles to ensure the period drama looked authentic on screen.
    • costume department
  2. 4 to provide clothes (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to provide or design the clothes for a film or play.

    to supply or manage the clothing requirements for a production or individual.

    Example

    The studio hired a famous designer to wardrobe the entire cast.

    Example

    The production was wardrobed entirely in recycled materials to highlight the film's environmental themes.
  3. 5 returning worn clothes (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    buying clothes online, wearing them once, and then returning them for a refund.

    the practice of purchasing garments with the intention of wearing them briefly and returning them for a full refund.

    Example

    The shop blocked her account because they suspected her of wardrobing.

    Example

    Retailers are implementing stricter return policies to combat wardrobing, which costs the industry billions in lost revenue annually.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of retail fraud or 'serial returning'.

Origin

From Middle English warderobe, from Old Northern French warderoube, wardereube, northern variants of Old French garderobe, from garder (“to keep safe”) + robe. Subsequently influenced by various senses of garderobe as they developed in French. Doublet of garderobe.

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