battledress

IPA/ˈbætldres/
IPA/ˈbætldres/

battledress — noun

1. a set of sturdy military clothes designed to be worn by soldiers during active c

1.nounB2
Definition

a set of sturdy military clothes designed to be worn by soldiers during active combat or field training exercises

Example

Haruto pulled on his battledress and laced his boots before the morning inspection.

pulled on his battledress

Ana's battledress had a small tear at the knee from crawling under barbed wire.

tear at the knee

Common collocations
  • in battledress
  • wear battledress
  • change into battledress
  • combat battledress
  • battledress jacket
  • battledress trousers
Synonyms
  • combat uniform

    a more general term; 'battledress' often refers to the specific jacket-and-trouser set

  • fatigues

    informal US term for the same type of clothing, especially when worn for work or training

  • BDUs

    acronym for Battle Dress Uniforms; common in US military contexts but less used elsewhere

Antonyms
  • dress uniform

    a formal military outfit worn for ceremonies, parades, and official events

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Battledress" refers specifically to the standard military clothing worn during combat or field training — typically a jacket and trousers made of tough, often camouflage fabric. "Combat uniform" is a broader term covering any clothing designed for battle, which can include different national patterns and modern digital camouflage. "Fatigues" is an informal American term that originally meant work clothes but now overlaps with battledress; it carries a more casual, everyday feel. "BDUs" (Battle Dress Uniforms) is the official US military abbreviation for the classic camouflage uniform from the 1980s–2000s, though the term is being replaced by ACUs (Army Combat Uniforms). "Field uniform" overlaps with battledress but emphasizes the training or outdoor setting rather than combat itself. In practice, a British soldier says "battledress," an American says "fatigues" or "BDUs," and both would understand each other.

combat uniformfatigues ↗BDUsfield uniform

Common collocations

Nouns

  • battledress uniform
  • battledress jacket
  • battledress trousers
  • battledress cap

Phrases

  • change into battledress
  • pull on battledress
  • wear battledress

Prepositions

  • in battledress

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

A compound word formed in English from 'battle' (from Old French 'bataille', ultimately from Latin 'battualia' meaning 'exercise of soldiers') and 'dress' (from Old French 'dresser' meaning 'to arrange' or 'set'). The term came into military use in the 18th–19th centuries to describe the specific clothing soldiers wore into combat, as opposed to formal parade uniforms.