undress
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To remove clothes from (oneself or another person)
To strip something of covering, decoration, or disguise; to make something bare or exposed
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can be transitive (undress someone) or intransitive (she undressed). In military context, means to remove uniform. Often implies a private, intentional act of disrobing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Both use the noun form ('in a state of undress') similarly.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/medical in British English ('The nurse helped him undress'). Slightly more common in everyday American English.
Frequency
Similar frequency; 'get undressed' is more common than 'undress' in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] undressed[NP] undressed [NP][NP] got undressedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In a state of undress”
- “Caught with one's pants down (figurative, informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used in fashion/retail ('The mannequins were left undressed')
Academic
Used in literature analysis ('The scene where the character undresses symbolizes vulnerability')
Everyday
Common for bedtime/routine ('I need to undress before my shower')
Technical
Medical contexts ('Please undress and put on the gown')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children must undress before bath time.
- She undressed quickly after returning from the muddy hike.
American English
- He undressed and jumped into the pool.
- The doctor asked me to undress for the examination.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as adverb; typically 'in a state of undress')
American English
- (Rarely used as adverb; typically 'in a state of undress')
adjective
British English
- The undress uniform is worn for informal occasions.
- An undress state is not appropriate for public viewing.
American English
- Soldiers in undress attire looked more relaxed.
- The undress code was too casual for the event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby can undress himself now.
- I undress before I go to sleep.
- Please undress and put on this hospital gown.
- She undressed quickly because she was late.
- The actor had to undress for the intimate scene.
- The report undresses the complex issue to its basic components.
- The documentary undresses the glamorous facade of the industry, revealing its harsh realities.
- Psychological trauma can leave one feeling emotionally undressed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
UN-DRESS: Imagine reversing the action of dressing—taking OFF what you put ON.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVEALING TRUTH = UNDRESSING (e.g., 'undress the facts' = reveal the bare truth)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'раздевать' for non-clothing contexts. Don't confuse with 'раздеться' which is reflexive.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'undress' for inanimate objects incorrectly ('I undressed the book' ✗). Overusing in casual speech where 'get changed' works better.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'undress' metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, but can be used metaphorically for systems, ideas, or objects being stripped of something (e.g., 'undress a problem').
'Undress' is more neutral and often private. 'Strip' can be more abrupt, complete, or sometimes sexualized.
Yes, though less common (e.g., 'in a state of undress'). The verb form is far more frequent.
Yes, 'get undressed' is a more colloquial phrasal verb version with the same meaning.