Attire

/əˈtaɪər/

nounBeginner📊CommonClothing
1 meaning1 question

Definitions

1

Clothing, especially fine clothing, worn on a particular occasion.

/əˈtaɪər/

nounneutralBeginner
Clothing

Clothing, especially fine clothing.

The royal attire was stunning.

💡 Simply: Clothes

More Examples

2

His attire was unsuitable for the occasion.

How It's Used

Fashion

"Her attire was elegant and sophisticated."

Formal Events

"The guests were expected to wear formal attire."

From Old French atirier "to attire, dress," from a- "to" + tirer "to draw, pull." The modern sense developed from the idea of drawing on or putting on clothing.

Historically, 'attire' implied more elaborate or ceremonial clothing.

Memory tip

Think of 'attire' as 'at-tire,' like getting ready to tire yourself out by dressing up.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to dress or adorn"

formal attireappropriate attireelegant attire

Common misspellings

attireattir

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written