—dress /dres/
adjective [before noun]
► F0 describes men's suits, shirts, or other clothes of the type that are worn at formal occasions: » a white dress shirt and bow tieThesaurus+: ↑The style, appearance, and make-up of clothesnoun
A1 [C] a piece of clothing for women or girls that covers the top half of the body and hangs down over the legs:
» a long/short dress» a wedding dressSee picture: dress 
Thesaurus+: ↑Clothes which cover most of the body
B2 [U] used, especially in combination, to refer to clothes of a particular type, especially those worn in particular situations:
» The queen, in full ceremonial dress, presided over the ceremony.Thesaurus+: ↑Clothing - general wordsWord Builder:–Nouns: dress, dresser, dressing–Adjectives: dressed, undressed, dressy–Verbs: dress, undress, redress• • •
Extra Examples:» She was wearing exactly the same dress as I was.» She was wearing a black and white spotted dress.» Her wardrobe was crammed full of dresses.» He's designed dresses for many celebrities, most famously the Queen.» The little pageboys were dressed in kilts and the bridesmaids in pink dresses.verb (PREPARE FOOD) ↑Verb Endings for dress
F0 [T] to add a liquid, especially a mixture of oil and vinegar, to a salad for extra flavour:
» a dressed saladThesaurus+: ↑Preparing food , ↑Preparing food using heatF0 [T] to prepare meat, chicken, fish, or crab so it can be eaten:
» a whole dressed crabThesaurus+: ↑Preparing food , ↑Preparing food using heatverb (PUT ON CLOTHES) ↑Verb Endings for dress
A2 [I or T] to put clothes on yourself or someone else, especially a child:
» My husband dresses the children while I make breakfast.» He left very early and had to dress in the dark.Thesaurus+: ↑Putting clothes onB1 [I + adv/prep] to wear a particular type of clothes:
» I have to dress quite smartly for work.» Patricia always dresses in black (= wears black clothes).Thesaurus+: ↑Putting clothes ondress for dinnerF0 to put on formal clothes for a meal:
» It's the sort of hotel where you're expected to dress for dinner.Thesaurus+: ↑Putting clothes onWord Builder:–Nouns: dress, dresser, dressing–Adjectives: dressed, undressed, dressy–Verbs: dress, undress, redress• • •
Extra Examples:» She often dresses in black .» "People round here dress so badly - except you, Justin, " she hastened to add.» It's an outdoor party, so dress informally.» Ben gets a lot of criticism from his parents about the way he dresses.» She dresses beautifully, don't you think?verb [T] (SHOP WINDOW) ↑Verb Endings for dress
► F0 to decorate a shop window usually with an arrangement of the shop's goods: » They're dressing Harrods' windows for Christmas.Thesaurus+: ↑Decorating or making something attractiveThesaurus+: ↑Parts of shops, shop fittings and retail activitiesverb [T] (TREAT INJURY) ↑Verb Endings for dress
► F0 to treat an injury by cleaning it and putting medicine or a covering on it to protect it: » Clean and dress the wound immediately.Thesaurus+: ↑Medical dressings, supports and devices