apparel
/əˈpærəl/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈpærəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈper-əl -ˈpa-rəl/ (ame, mw)
apparel — noun
1. items of clothing of a specific kind that are offered for sale, especially as a
items of clothing of a specific kind that are offered for sale, especially as a category in shops or business reports.
The store opened a new section for children's apparel near the main entrance.
noun phrase: [type] + apparel as a retail category
Online sales of women's apparel rose sharply in Taiwan last quarter.
collocation: women's / men's / children's apparel
Mei works for a brand that designs sports apparel for runners.
The factory in Vietnam ships outdoor apparel to shops across Europe.
Lior compared prices on winter apparel before choosing a coat.
- clothing
everyday neutral word; covers the same idea without sounding commercial
- garments
formal; focuses on individual pieces rather than a sales category
- merchandise
broader; covers any goods for sale, not only clothes
文法句型
[type] + apparel
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable and modified by a noun describing the type of buyer or activity (men's, sports, outdoor). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names a product category, not the actual clothes a person is wearing.
常見錯誤
2. the clothes someone is actually wearing, often viewed as a sign of status, role,
the clothes someone is actually wearing, often viewed as a sign of status, role, or the importance of an occasion.
The judges arrived at the courtroom in their full ceremonial apparel.
pattern: in + adjective + apparel for formal occasions
Guests at the wedding wore traditional Japanese apparel for the tea ceremony.
collocation: traditional / ceremonial apparel
Aunt Rosa packed her best apparel for the diplomat's reception.
The priest entered the chapel in white apparel and lit the candles.
文法句型
in [adjective] apparel
用法筆記
Object usually carries a status or ritual meaning (ceremonial, royal, traditional). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense talks about clothes a specific person is wearing right now, not a product category in a shop.
常見錯誤
apparel — verb
1. to dress someone in particular clothes, especially clothes that suit a formal or
to dress someone in particular clothes, especially clothes that suit a formal or ceremonial role; usually appears in the passive.
The young prince was apparelled in silk robes before the coronation began.
passive: be apparelled in [clothing]
Servants apparelled the bride in a long white gown and a silver crown.
active: apparel + someone + in [clothing]
The actors were apparelled in heavy armour for the battle scene.
Dr. Wren's daughters were apparelled in matching kimonos for the festival.
文法句型
be apparelled in [clothing]
apparel + someone + in [clothing]
用法筆記
Mostly literary or historical; in modern English, choose 'dress' or 'clothe' instead. The passive 'be apparelled in...' is the form learners are most likely to meet in novels and old texts.
常見錯誤
2. in literary writing, to make a place or object look beautiful by adding decorati
in literary writing, to make a place or object look beautiful by adding decorations such as flowers, lights, or rich colours.
The valley was apparelled with wild lilies after the spring rains.
passive: be apparelled with [decoration] — literary register
Villagers apparelled the small chapel with red lanterns for the festival.
active: apparel + something + with [decoration]
Snow apparelled the mountain peaks in soft white before sunrise.
The poet wrote that autumn apparelled the forest in red and gold.
- strip
to remove decoration or covering
文法句型
be apparelled with [decoration]
apparel + something + with/in
用法筆記
Strongly literary or poetic; rarely used in conversation or news. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense decorates a place or object, while sense 1 puts clothes on a person.