What does reclothe mean?
Reclothe means to put clothing on again, usually because the original clothing has become unsuitable, damaged, out of date, or intended for a different purpose. The word can apply to people, mannequins, objects, and, more figuratively, anything that can be covered or adorned anew. Its distinctive feature is the prefix re-, which adds the sense of repetition or renewal to the older verb clothe. A tailor might reclothe an actor, a museum might reclothe its mannequins, and a household might reclothe an old chair with a new cover. The verb is relatively uncommon and sounds more literary or traditional than the neutral alternatives dress or clothe, but it expresses with compact precision the idea of providing a fresh covering or starting again. That combination of repetition, renewal, and careful attention to what someone or something is wearing makes reclothe especially useful in descriptive and figurative writing.
verbTo clothe again, especially someone or something in fresh, different, or replacement clothing. It can also refer broadly to covering or adorning something anew.
- To clothe again, especially in fresh, different, or replacement clothing; to clothe anew.
"Before the exhibition opened, the volunteers reclothed the mannequins in outfits from the museum’s newest collection."
"They reclothed the mannequins in new outfits before the exhibition opened."
"The costume department reclothed the actor in a lighter fabric for the second act."
The prefix re- turns an ordinary act of dressing into the idea of starting over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reclothe come from?
Reclothe is formed by combining the prefix re-, from Latin and meaning again or back, with clothe, an Old English verb ultimately connected with cloth. The prefix emphasizes a second or renewed act of clothing. Cognate and related forms include cloth, clothing, and clothier, all reflecting the same longstanding English vocabulary for covering the body with fabric.
Related word forms
How reclothe is actually used
Reclothe is a somewhat formal or literary verb and is less common than clothe or dress. It is normally transitive: it takes an object such as a person, garment, figure, or other thing being clothed again.
Easily confused with reclothe
Clothe means to put clothing on someone or something, whereas reclothe emphasizes doing so again or providing new clothing.