Etymology Map
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Dress

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a one-piece garment for women; to put on clothes

Where does the word "dress" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin directiare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
directiare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to straighten"
from 'directus', straight
2
Stage 2 of 3
dresser
Old French · medieval
"to arrange"
soldiers still 'dress' ranks, straightening their line
3
Stage 3 of 3
dress
English · 1300s
"to arrange"
the garment sense dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Dress’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: directiare meant “to straighten.” From 'directus', straight. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as dresser. Soldiers still 'dress' ranks, straightening their line. It reached English by 1300s as dress. The garment sense dates from the 1600s. Today, dress means a one-piece garment for women; to put on clothes.