What does attire mean?
"Attire" refers to the clothes a person is wearing, particularly when they are fine, formal, or carefully chosen. Used chiefly as a noun, it appears most often in contexts where standards of dress matter: wedding invitations request formal attire, workplaces specify business attire, and cultural events may call for traditional attire. Compared with neutral words like "clothes," "attire" carries a more elevated, polished tone, making it a favorite of event planners, etiquette guides, and fashion writing. The word also exists as a verb meaning "to clothe," though this use has become largely literary, surviving in phrases such as "attired in silk." Etymologically, "attire" comes through Old French "atirier," from "a-" plus "tire," an old word for dress or adornment — the same root behind the archaic "tire" describing a bird's plumage. For writers seeking a graceful, slightly formal way to speak about what people wear, "attire" remains a precise and versatile choice.
Clothes worn by a person, especially fine or formal garments; dress in general.
"The gala required evening attire."
Often modified by adjectives indicating formality or occasion, e.g. "formal," "casual," "festive."
To clothe or dress (someone), typically in a specified way.
"The statue depicts the goddess attired in flowing robes."
Now largely literary; most common in the passive construction "be attired in."
"Attire" once carried the same root as the archaic "tire" — as in a peacock's "tire" of feathers — so calling something your finest attire literally ties it to plumage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of attire
English borrowed "attire" in the late Middle Ages from Old French "atirier," formed from "a-" (from Latin "ad-") and "tire," a word meaning rank, order, or adornment. The same root gave rise to the now-archaic English noun "tire," once used for both dress and a bird's feathers. The noun sense of clothing became established by the early modern period, while the verb sense, originally meaning "to equip or array," gradually narrowed and faded into literary usage.
Related word forms
How attire is actually used
"Attire" is somewhat formal and slightly elevated in register compared with everyday words like "clothes" or "outfit." It frequently appears in invitations, dress codes, and event descriptions. As a verb it is now largely literary or archaic, surviving mainly in past-participial phrases such as "attired in."