sundress: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Typically, no. A sundress is characteristically sleeveless or has very thin straps. A dress with sleeves, even if lightweight, would more likely be called a 'summer dress' or 'day dress.'

It is standardly written as one solid word: 'sundress.' The open compound 'sun dress' is seen but is less common and often considered a minor spelling variant.

While 'sundress' is strongly gendered feminine in common usage, the garment itself has no inherent biological restriction. In contemporary discussions of fashion and gender norms, it is recognized that anyone can wear a dress designed for warm weather.

A 'maxi dress' refers to length (floor-length or ankle-length). A 'sundress' refers to style and purpose (lightweight, casual, for warm weather). A dress can be both: a long, casual, sleeveless summer dress is a 'maxi sundress.'

A lightweight dress, typically sleeveless, designed to be worn in warm weather.

Sundress is usually informal, casual in register.

Sundress: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.dres/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.dres/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.