: involving attention to every detail in preparation or execution
a full-dress rehearsal
a full-dress investigation
: the style of dress prescribed for ceremonial or formal social occasions
Synonyms
Examples of full-dress in a Sentence
Noun
The Army required full dress be worn to the event.
The officers were in full dress.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 28 June 2024
That suggests something less than a full-dress criminal trial may suffice; but clearly some process has to exist to decide whether any particular individual is covered.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2023
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2024
Their joint photo was accompanied by one individual snap each of King Frederik, 55, and Queen Mary, 52, in their gala finery — the King in the Navy’s full dress uniform and the Queen in a deep green gown with lace sleeves and a high neck.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for full-dress 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
On Friday, as visitation ended at 3 p.m., the church parking lot was filled with hundreds of officers, all in their respective departments' full-dress uniforms, standing in ranks facing the entryway, where a hearse was parked.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 28 June 2024
That suggests something less than a full-dress criminal trial may suffice; but clearly some process has to exist to decide whether any particular individual is covered.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2023
Noun
This year at the St. Patrick’s Day parades, applaud them when marching by in full dress uniforms.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2024
Their joint photo was accompanied by one individual snap each of King Frederik, 55, and Queen Mary, 52, in their gala finery — the King in the Navy’s full dress uniform and the Queen in a deep green gown with lace sleeves and a high neck.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for full-dress
Dictionary Entries Near full-dress
Cite this Entry
“Full-dress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full-dress. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share