Can we use the word "dressing gown" for men?

Soprano · Post by **Soprano** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:23 am

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

Pls clarify. Thanks.

ssean · Post by **ssean** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:49 am

Yeah, dressing gown is fine for both

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:49 am

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.

Soprano · Post by **Soprano** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:34 am

Hey Ssean & Fluffyhamster,

Thanks for the clarification.