velvet dress
2
3.1
- noun
- /ˈvɛlvɪt drɛs/
:
vestido de terciopelo
- Paxton wore her black velvet dress, and Gabby wore a white Chanel suit her mother had bought her the year before in Paris.
- a black velvet dress
- a red velvet dress
- a blue velvet dress
Examples
-
I could wear that white, antique velvet dress that I have.
-
As I walked up the path to the apartment, Habiba waited for me in the doorway, resplendent in a black velvet dress intricately piped with gold thread at the neckline.
Fiction book (2002) -
It's a blue velvet dress.
Fiction book (2001) -
Lu would sing in the Christmas choir in that cute little red velvet dress.
-
Tell them you went to Maison Blanche and bought a blue velvet dress.
Fiction book (2001) -
The crushed-velvet dress fits Romy's body as if it were made for her.
Fiction book (1997) -
Alongside his pony stood a slim black-haired girl in a velvet dress, wearing a silver comb with a spray of pearls.
Fiction book (2000) -
Hands deep in the pockets of her velvet dress, Ella wandered through the echoing hall into a room lined from floor to ceiling with books.
Fiction book (2001) -
Last year in Cannes, she walked the red carpet in a dramatic Yves Klein-blue velvet dress and matching coat.
-
I felt like a princess in my black velvet dress with the big red bow.
Synonyms
333
1.0
Clothes of a particular style or for a special occasion
12
2.7
A long formal dress that women wear to evening parties or special events
11
3.3
A short elegant dress for women to wear at evening events
8
3.5
A long formal dress worn by women to very special events like balls
1
2.7
A formal, stylish dress worn for special events
A formal dress worn to evening events, especially dinners
A formal long gown worn to evening events like dinners
A formal dress made of silk for special occasions
How Formal
8
3.5
12
2.7
2
3.1
11
3.3
1
4.6
9
2.5
- Archaic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a dress made from velvet' is directly and compositionally derived from 'velvet' (a fabric) + 'dress' (a garment); this is a straightforward material+noun compound where the modifier specifies the material. Material+garment constructions are common in English and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words will understand the phrase.
Etymology
The noun velvet dress comes from the smooth, soft cloth velvet that was once worn by kings and rich people. Because the fabric looked and felt very luxurious, a velvet dress is seen as a 'special' or 'formal' outfit.