Gown

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gown

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

gown  /ɡaʊn/

Definition

A long elegant dress worn on formal occasions; a loose robe worn by surgeons during operations or by judges and academics on formal occasions; to dress in a gown.

Plain meaning

A gown is a formal or ceremonial robe — whether an elegant evening dress, a surgical gown in an operating theatre, or the academic robe worn at graduation.

Register

Neutral to formal. Gown covers ceremonial, professional, and elegant dress. In everyday speech it is most often used in its academic or medical senses or in descriptions of formal dress. Town and gown is a specific compound with historical connotations.