undress
undress — adjective
1. relating to the everyday uniform that soldiers wear for routine duties, rather t
relating to the everyday uniform that soldiers wear for routine duties, rather than the formal ceremonial dress uniform with decorations.
Hari wore his undress uniform for the morning inspection at the barracks.
attributive use: undress uniform
The undress uniform has simpler decorations than the formal dress version.
contrast with dress uniform
Sayaka carefully folded her undress uniform and placed it on the shelf.
Officers changed into their undress uniforms after the medal ceremony ended.
- dress
refers to the formal ceremonial military uniform; opposite end of the spectrum
文法句型
undress + noun (only before a noun)
用法筆記
Almost always used attributively before the noun 'uniform' in military contexts. Not commonly found outside of armed-forces descriptions.
常見錯誤
undress — noun
1. a condition in which a person is wearing few clothes, leaving parts of the body
a condition in which a person is wearing few clothes, leaving parts of the body uncovered and not fully clothed.
Trang was in a state of partial undress when the doorbell rang unexpectedly.
phrase: in a state of partial undress
The guest felt embarrassed at being seen in a state of undress by the cleaner.
phrase: in a state of undress
The beach resort had a relaxed dress code, and guests walked around in partial undress.
Noa quickly grabbed a towel to cover his state of undress before the visitors arrived.
- disarray
broader term; can refer to messy clothes, not necessarily few clothes
- semi-nakedness
more direct but less common in everyday use
- full dress
being completely and formally clothed
文法句型
in a state of undress
in a state of partial undress
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'in a state of (partial) undress' or 'in a state of undress.' Bare use ('her undress') is rare and sounds dated or literary.
常見錯誤
2. the condition of having removed all items of clothing so that the body is entire
the condition of having removed all items of clothing so that the body is entirely without covering.
The painting from the Renaissance depicts the goddess in a state of complete undress.
phrase: in a state of complete undress
Felix felt vulnerable in his complete undress under the bright hospital lights.
The art model maintained her composure despite being in a state of full undress.
Children in some cultures are comfortable being completely undressed during bath time well into early childhood.
- full dress
being completely clothed, especially formally
文法句型
in a state of complete undress
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SCANTILY CLAD), where some clothes remain. This sense implies total removal of all clothing. Often used with modifiers like 'complete' or 'full' to make the extent clear.
常見錯誤
undress — verb
1. to take off everything you are wearing, or to help a child or a person who canno
to take off everything you are wearing, or to help a child or a person who cannot manage alone by taking off their clothes.
Hao undressed quickly after coming home from the long hike in the rain.
intransitive: undress (no object)
The nurse carefully undressed the elderly patient before the examination began.
transitive: undress + person (helping someone)
Ife undressed her toddler and ran a warm bath for him.
Yara undressed in the dark so her roommate would not be disturbed.
The doctor asked the patient to undress behind the curtain and put on a gown.
- strip
more forceful or abrupt; can suggest speed or unwillingness ('strip for a body search')
- disrobe
more formal or theatrical; often used in performance or ceremonial contexts
- take off one's clothes
more general and slightly longer; used for removing one garment or all clothes
- dress
to put clothes on oneself or another person
- get dressed
common everyday phrase for putting on clothes
文法句型
undress
undress + object (person)
用法筆記
When transitive, the object must be a person (e.g. 'undress the baby'), not an item of clothing. Do not say 'undress your coat' — use 'take off your coat' instead. The intransitive use ('she undressed') is more common in everyday conversation.