dress crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stumped by the clue "dress" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We've compiled all the most common and relevant answers, categorized by length, to help you complete your grid quickly and efficiently.
Solutions for "dress crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
ROBE: A loose, flowing outer garment, often worn as a sign of rank or office, or for comfort.
GOWN: A long formal dress, especially for a woman, or a protective garment worn for work or by patients.
WEAR: To have on one's body as clothing; to put on clothes.
5 Letters
ADORN: To make more beautiful or attractive; often used as in 'to dress up' a place or person.
ARRAY: Fine or impressive clothing; also, to dress someone in such clothes, as in 'dressed in fine array'.
6 Letters
ATTIRE: Clothes, especially fine, formal, or distinctive ones.
CLOTHE: To provide with clothes; to put clothes on someone.
OUTFIT: A set of clothes worn together, especially for a particular occasion or purpose.
7 Letters
GARMENT: Any item of clothing.
APPAREL: Clothing in general, especially outer garments; to dress or adorn.
COSTUME: A set of clothes typical of a particular country, period, or activity, or worn by an actor.
More About "dress crossword clue"
The clue "dress" is a classic example of a versatile word that can represent multiple parts of speech and meanings in crosswords. As a noun, it directly refers to a garment, often leading to answers like ROBE, GOWN, or FROCK. However, its verb forms open up a much wider range of possibilities. "To dress" can mean to clothe someone (CLOTHE), to adorn or decorate (ADORN), to prepare food (TRIM, PREP), or even to apply a dressing to a wound.
Crossword setters frequently use "dress" to test a solver's ability to think beyond the most obvious definition. Context is key: a clue like "Dress for a ball" would point to GOWN, while "Dress up a room" might lead to ADORN or DECORATE. Understanding these nuances and the common synonyms for each meaning will significantly improve your solving speed and accuracy for this common clue.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count the Letters: Always start by checking the number of boxes provided for the answer. This is the most important constraint and immediately narrows down the possibilities for "dress" to the correct length group.
- Consider the Surrounding Clues: Sometimes, the letters from intersecting words can give you a vital hint. If you have an 'A' as the third letter, 'GARMENT' for seven letters becomes a strong possibility.
- Think Beyond the Obvious: For a word like "dress," remember its multiple meanings (noun for clothing, verb for adorning, preparing, or applying). If the common clothing synonyms don't fit, pivot to other definitions.
- Look for Phrasal Verbs: Crossword clues often use phrasal verbs. "Dress up" might suggest a word like ADORN or SMARTEN.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'dress' have so many different crossword answers?
The word 'dress' is highly versatile, serving as a noun (a garment), a verb (to clothe, to prepare food, to decorate), and even an adjective (related to formal wear). Crossword setters exploit these multiple meanings and synonyms, leading to a wide range of possible solutions depending on the puzzle's context.
How can I determine the correct answer for 'dress' in a crossword?
The length of the answer is the first crucial hint. Additionally, consider the surrounding letters, the theme of the puzzle, and if the clue is part of a phrase (e.g., 'dress up', 'dress down'). Common synonyms for clothing (ROBE, GOWN, ATTIRE) or actions (CLOTHE, ADORN) are frequent answers.
Are there common tricks crossword setters use with the clue 'dress'?
Yes, setters often use 'dress' to refer to a specific type of garment (e.g., a formal GOWN), the act of putting on clothes (CLOTHE), or even preparing food (TRIM, as in 'dress a chicken'). Sometimes it implies ornamentation (ADORN). Always consider the less obvious meanings.