gown

Everyday

1. A gown is a long, formal dress worn for special events like a ball or a wedding. tree →
2. A gown is a loose robe worn over clothes for a job or ceremony, such as by a judge, a graduate or a surgeon. tree →
3. A hospital gown is a loose garment patients wear in hospital. tree →
4. A dressing gown is a warm robe worn over pyjamas. tree →
5. A nightgown is a long, loose garment worn in bed for sleeping. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales princesses wear ball gowns. In everyday life, a dressing gown (UK, Australia, NZ) or bathrobe (US) is worn at home; doctors and nurses wear gowns to keep germs away, an important hygiene idea. At graduation students wear a cap and gown. Phrases: ball gown, wedding gown, dressing gown, hospital gown, cap and gown.

Examples

• Cinderella wore a beautiful gown to the ball. tree →
• I put on my dressing gown and slippers after my bath. tree →
• The surgeon wore a green gown and a mask. tree →
• At the hospital, Grandpa had to wear a paper gown. tree →
• The bride's wedding gown had a long train. tree →
• The judge wore a black gown and a wig. tree →
• At graduation, my sister wore a cap and gown. tree →
• They sang and danced in their night-gowns. tree →

Note

Countable noun: gowns. Rhymes with «down» and «town». A «gown» is more formal than a «dress». In the US a dressing gown is usually called a «robe» or «bathrobe».