# wardrobe

/ˈwɔɹˌdɹoʊb/ (US) · /wˈɔːdɹəʊb/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. furniture

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- He hung his suits in the wooden wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom.
- The master bedroom features a massive built-in wardrobe with sliding mirrored doors that make the space appear much larger than it is.

### 2. collection of clothes

noun · CEFR B1

all the clothes that a person owns and wears.

For teachers: the entire collection of garments belonging to a particular person.

- She needed a new professional wardrobe for her first job at the bank.
- Investing in high-quality basics allows you to build a versatile wardrobe that remains stylish across multiple seasons.

### 3. theatre/film department

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The actors went to wardrobe to get fitted for their period costumes.
- The wardrobe supervisor spent weeks researching historical textiles to ensure the period drama looked authentic on screen.

### 4. to provide clothes

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The studio hired a famous designer to wardrobe the entire cast.
- The production was wardrobed entirely in recycled materials to highlight the film's environmental themes.

### 5. returning worn clothes

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

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

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

## Examples

- She hung her new coat in the wardrobe.
- After starting her first office job, she realized she needed to update her professional wardrobe with more formal suits.
- The heavy oak wardrobe dominated the corner of the bedroom, its doors concealing a vast array of vintage dresses and tailored coats from the previous century.

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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.