get-up
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity; an outfit.
An outfit or costume, often with connotations of being elaborate, unusual, or carefully assembled. Can also refer informally to a person's overall style of dress.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun. The hyphen is common, though it can be written as 'getup' in American English. The sense often implies more than just functional clothing—it suggests a considered or notable appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Hyphenation is more common in UK usage ('get-up'). In the US, the closed form 'getup' is equally if not more common. The word is informal in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry a slightly humorous or judgmental tone, implying the outfit is eye-catching, odd, or overly elaborate. Neutral usage is also possible.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects. More likely to be heard in informal conversation than seen in formal writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + a + ADJ + get-upbe wearing + a + ADJ + get-upin + (possessive) + get-upVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All done up in a fancy get-up”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously in reference to dress code, e.g., 'What's with the formal get-up today?'
Academic
Very rare; considered too informal.
Everyday
Common in informal speech to comment on someone's notable clothing.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He wore a funny get-up for the party.
- What's with the smart get-up? Are you going for an interview?
- She arrived in a bizarre get-up of feathers and glitter.
- The full Elizabethan get-up, complete with ruff and doublet, was incredibly hot under the stage lights.
- I can't believe he went to the supermarket in that ridiculous get-up.
- His sartorial get-up, a deliberate pastiche of 1970s academia, was both ironic and meticulously curated.
- The protesters were in full activist get-up, with goggles and respirators at the ready.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You 'get up' in the morning and put on your 'get-up' (your chosen outfit for the day).
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A CONSTRUCTED ENTITY / OUTFIT IS A PROJECT (you 'put together' a get-up).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the phrasal verb 'get up' (вставать). This is a separate noun.
- Avoid direct translation as 'подъём'. The correct equivalent is 'наряд', 'одежда', 'костюм' (for an outfit).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with the phrasal verb 'to get up'. E.g., Incorrect: 'I need to get-up early.' (should be 'get up').
- Misspelling as 'getup' in UK contexts where a hyphen is preferred.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'get-up' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal. Use 'outfit', 'attire', or 'clothing' in formal contexts.
'Get-up' is more informal and often implies the outfit is unusual, noteworthy, or thematic. 'Outfit' is neutral and more common.
No. The noun 'get-up' (outfit) is separate from the phrasal verb 'to get up' (to rise from bed). They are written differently (hyphenated vs. two words).
For the noun meaning 'outfit', 'get-up' (UK) and 'getup' (US) are correct. 'Get up' (two words) is the phrasal verb.