attire
gb/ətˈaɪɚ/ us/ətˈaɪɚ/
B2
English
~ 7000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
clothing, especially for an occasion
Clothes, especially special clothes you wear for a job, event, or place.
Usage pattern:
to wear [attire]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'attires' as a countable plural noun (e.g., '*two attires*'). In modern English, 'attire' is normally uncountable in this sense, so speakers say 'two outfits', 'different types of attire', or 'several styles of attire'. Learners may also use 'attire' in very casual contexts where native speakers would normally say 'clothes' or 'outfit'.
Synonyms
clothing (More general and common; does not suggest formality or a specific occasion.)
|
outfit (Usually one complete set of clothes worn together, often less formal in tone.)
|
clothes (Very common and informal; used in everyday speech instead of the more formal 'attire'.)
Antonyms
nudity (Refers to not wearing any clothes at all, the direct opposite of being in attire.)
Collocations
formal attire
|business attire
|casual attire
|evening attire
|traditional attire
|wedding attire
Themes
fashion
|daily life
|work
|events
|clothing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The invitation clearly states that formal attire is required.
- Most offices expect employees to wear business attire from Monday to Thursday.
- Her colorful traditional attire stood out in the crowd.
- Guests arrived in elegant evening attire for the charity gala.
- Please avoid casual attire during client meetings.
Learner examples
- He wore formal attire to the job interview.
- Students must wear school attire in the classroom.
- Her wedding attire was simple but beautiful.
- This restaurant asks for smart attire in the evening.
- In the photo, the dancers are in traditional attire.
Verb
literary
C1
action
2
to dress someone in clothes
To put special or formal clothes on someone.
Usage pattern:
to attire [someone] in [clothing]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use 'attire' as a normal everyday verb like 'dress' (e.g., '*I attire myself every morning*'). In modern English this sounds unnatural or old-fashioned. Use 'dress' in most situations and reserve 'attire' for literary or very formal style.
Synonyms
dress (More common and general; can be used in everyday speech, while 'attire' as a verb is literary or old-fashioned.)
|
clothe (Slightly formal; focuses more on providing clothes rather than style or specialness.)
Antonyms
undress (Means to remove clothing from someone, the opposite of putting clothes on them.)
Collocations
be attired in
|attired in black
|attired in formal wear
|attire herself in
|attired in their finest
Themes
fashion
|literature
|clothing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The children were beautifully attired in traditional costumes for the festival.
- She arrived at the ceremony attired in a simple white gown.
- The performers were splendidly attired in gold and red.
- He was strangely attired in a long, old-fashioned coat.
- The bride was elegantly attired in lace and silk.
Learner examples
- The actors were attired in bright clothes on stage.
- She was attired in a long blue dress.
- The king was attired in rich robes.
- The guests were all attired in black.
- They were attired in costumes for the show.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attire
IPA
GB/ətˈaɪɚ/
US/ətˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
at - tire (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tire)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: attire
- Plural: attire
Verb
- Base: attire
- 3rd Person Singular: attires
- Present Participle: attiring
- Past: attired
Word family
Expressions
business attire
1/bˈɪznɪs ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothes for office work
Clothes that are suitable for an office or professional workplace, such as a suit, shirt, and smart shoes.
Examples
- Employees are expected to wear business attire from Monday to Thursday.
- On Fridays the company allows staff to relax their business attire.
casual attire
2/kˈæʒuəl ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
comfortable, informal clothes
Everyday, comfortable clothes that are not formal, such as jeans, T‑shirts, and sneakers.
Examples
- The party is informal, so casual attire is fine.
- Many tech companies allow casual attire in the office.
evening attire
6/ˈivnɪŋ ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothes for evening events
Clothes you wear to social events in the evening, often more elegant or formal than day clothes.
Examples
- Guests arrived in elegant evening attire for the awards ceremony.
- The cruise line asks passengers to bring at least one set of evening attire.
in full attire
7/ˈɪn fˈʊl ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
wearing the complete outfit
Wearing all the clothes that are suitable for a special role or event, not missing any important piece.
Examples
- The guards stood at the entrance in full attire.
- The actors arrived on set in full attire, ready to film the scene.
office attire
3/ˈɔfɪs ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothes for office environments
Clothes people normally wear to work in an office, usually neat and professional.
Examples
- Her office attire is always simple but stylish.
- The company recently relaxed its rules on office attire.
traditional attire
5/tɹədˈɪʃənəl ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothes from a culture’s tradition
Clothes that are part of a country’s or group’s customs, often worn for festivals or ceremonies.
Examples
- Dancers performed in traditional attire from different regions.
- Visitors are encouraged to come in traditional attire for the cultural festival.
wedding attire
4/wˈɛdɪŋ ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothes worn at a wedding
Clothes that people wear to a wedding, especially the special clothes of the bride, groom, and guests.
Examples
- They spent weeks choosing their wedding attire.
- Guests are asked to wear light-colored wedding attire for the beach ceremony.
formal attire
1/fˈɔɹməl ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothing for official events
Clothes that are suitable for important events like weddings or ceremonies.
Examples
- The invitation requests guests to wear formal attire.
- The invitation specifies that formal attire is required.
- He arrived at the gala in full formal attire.
- At this hotel, formal attire is expected in the main dining room.