Teacher Discussion Forums

can we use the word "dressing gown" for men? Or is it only used for women?

Pls clarify. Thanks.

Yeah, dressing gown is fine for both

Take careful note of the "extra"* information given in the thoughtfully-worded definitions of good dictionaries such as the OALDCE6:

boxer shorts (also boxers) (AmE also shorts) noun [pl.] men's underpants similar to the shorts worn by boxers: a pair of boxer shorts

knick•ers /nkz; AmE -krz/ noun [pl.]
1 (BrE) (also pan•ties AmE, BrE) a piece of women's underwear that covers the body from the waist to the tops of the legs: a pair of knickers

dressing gown (BrE) (AmE bath•robe, robe) noun a long loose piece of clothing, usually with a belt, worn indoors over night clothes, for example when you first get out of bed

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/oald/



*This kind of information is usually never made explicit in native speech, but it is obviously a part of what it means to fully "know" a word.

Hey Ssean & Fluffyhamster,

Thanks for the clarification.