Etymology Map
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Gown

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a long elegant dress; a robe worn by judges or academics

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
gunna
Late Latin · ancient
"fur garment"
possibly of Celtic origin; used for a fur or leather garment
2
Stage 2 of 3
goune
Old French · medieval
"robe"
a long loose outer robe worn by both men and women
3
Stage 3 of 3
gown
English · 1300s
"a long dress or robe"
survives for both women's formal dresses and academic and legal robes
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Read the full story

Gown’s story begins in Late Latin: gunna meant “fur garment.” Possibly of Celtic origin; used for a fur or leather garment. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as goune. A long loose outer robe worn by both men and women. It reached English by 1300s as gown. Survives for both women's formal dresses and academic and legal robes. Today, gown means a long elegant dress; a robe worn by judges or academics.