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get-up

get-up

10 5.6
A set of clothes worn to attract attention or to hide who you are
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɛtˌʌp/
  • Informal
translation icon : atuendo
  • Her get-up for the costume contest was a colorful and extravagant peacock outfit.
  • wearing a get-up
  • look at the get-up

Lady Gaga, like in a get up or without makeup.

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Examples

Synonyms

costume
vsget-up
514 1.3

A set of clothes that makes someone look like a character used in plays or parties

is broader, covering striking or attention grabbing dress beyond character roles
outfit
vsget-up
453 1.1

A set of clothes and accessories worn for a particular occasion

is narrower, meaning unusual or attention seeking clothing rather than general wear
disguise
vsget-up
160 3.7

Clothes or things you wear to hide who you are

focuses on the clothing aspect that attracts attention or can hide identity
getup
vsget-up
  • Informal
18 6.8

A set of clothes, often a costume, that looks unusual

is used also for clothes that hide identity as well as attract attention
fancy dress
vsget-up
  • UK
5 3.5

A costume people wear to hide who they are at a party

also applies to striking dress used to attract attention outside party contexts
turnout
vsget-up
  • UK
2 7.1

A set of clothes worn for a particular occasion

is used more for eye catching or disguise purposes than mere occasion wear
masquerade
vsget-up
1 6.3

A costume with a mask worn to hide your identity

is applied generally to attention seeking or disguise clothing, not only parties
rigout
vsget-up
  • Archaic
9.9

Clothes or costume that look unusual and stand out

is used more broadly to include disguises as well as striking clothes
5.3

An outfit with a mask and fancy clothes worn to hide who you are at a party

is used more broadly for disguises or attention grabbing clothes beyond masked events

Antonyms

Ordinary clothes that let people in uniform blend in

How Flashy

fancy dress
  • UK
5 3.5
get-up
  • Informal
10 5.6
costume
514 1.3
outfit
453 1.1

Surface Forms

get-up singular
get-ups plural

Morphology

get-up = get up (opaque) = get + up

The noun is historically connected to the phrasal verb 'get up', but the specific meaning 'a set of clothes or costume' is not directly predictable from the parts for most learners.

Etymology

Get-up comes from the simple phrase get up, which once meant 'to put on clothes' or 'to dress'. Think of a get-up as the clothes you 'get up' into to look funny or hide who you are, which is why it means a costume or an unusual outfit.