uniform
gb/jˈunəfˌɔɹm/ us/jˈunəfˌɔɹm/
A2
English
~ 4800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Standard clothing for a group
Clothes that are the same for everyone in a group, like at school or in the army.
Usage pattern:
to wear [a] uniform
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'uniform' with 'costume', but 'costume' is usually for performance or dressing up, not for regular required wear.
Synonyms
outfit (A general word for a set of clothes, not necessarily standardized or for a group.)
|
attire (More formal word for clothing, can be specialized but not always standardized.)
Antonyms
casual clothes (Non-standard, everyday clothes not required by an organization.)
Collocations
school uniform
|military uniform
|wear a uniform
|police uniform
|company uniform
Themes
daily life
|education
|work
|clothing
Examples
- All the nurses at the hospital wear the same uniform.
- The school's new uniform includes a blue blazer and tie.
- He was dressed in his military uniform for the ceremony.
- The police officer adjusted his uniform before going on duty.
Learner examples
- I wear a school uniform every day.
- The soldier is in uniform.
- She likes her work uniform.
- The police officer wears a blue uniform.
adjective
B1
property
2
Always the same; consistent
Always the same in size, shape, or way of happening.
Usage pattern:
[something] is uniform
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'uniform' with 'universal'; 'uniform' means consistent, not necessarily found everywhere.
Synonyms
consistent (Emphasizes reliability or regularity over time.)
|
even (Often refers to smoothness or equality in surface or distribution.)
Antonyms
irregular (Not consistent or even in pattern or form.)
Collocations
uniform size
|uniform shape
|uniform rate
|uniform appearance
Themes
science
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bricks were of a uniform size and color.
- The rules are applied in a uniform way across all departments.
- Temperatures remained fairly uniform throughout the day.
Learner examples
- The boxes are of uniform size.
- The law is uniform in all states.
- Her work is always of uniform quality.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
Make consistent or standard
To make things the same in size, shape, or way they work.
Usage pattern:
to uniform [something]
Common mistake:
This verb form is rare and often replaced by 'standardize'; learners may use it incorrectly as an adjective.
Synonyms
standardize (Common term in business and industry for making things follow the same standard.)
Antonyms
diversify (To make more varied rather than the same.)
Collocations
uniform procedures
|uniform standards
Themes
business
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company aims to uniform its training programs across all branches.
- Procedures were uniformed to ensure fairness.
Learner examples
- They want to uniform the rules.
- We will uniform our tests for all students.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uniform
IPA
GB/jˈunəfˌɔɹm/
US/jˈunəfˌɔɹm/
Syllables & stress
uni - form (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (uni)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: uniform
Noun
- Base: uniform
- Plural: uniform, uniforms
Verb
- Base: uniform
- 3rd Person Singular: uniforms
- Present Participle: uniforming
- Past: uniformed
Word family
Forms
uniforms
noun
uniforming
verb
uniformed
verb
Related words
uniformly
adverb
uniformity
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
nonuniform
adjective
Expressions
in uniform
1/ˈɪn jˈunəfˌɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Wearing official group clothing
Wearing the special clothes of your job or school.
Examples
- All soldiers must be in uniform during duty hours.
- She looked smart in uniform at the parade.
out of uniform
1/ˈaʊt əv jˈunəfˌɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Not wearing required official clothing
Not wearing the special clothes you are supposed to wear for your job or school.
Examples
- The student was disciplined for being out of uniform.
- He was spotted out of uniform at the grocery store.