dresser
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /drˈɛsə/
US
- /ˈdrɛsər/
Description
- furniture for clothes
- kitchen sideboard
- theatrical wardrobe assistant
- person who dresses wounds
A "dresser" has several meanings. Most often, it means a chest of drawers in a bedroom where clothes are stored. In the theater, a dresser is a backstage worker who helps actors with costumes and quick changes. In British English, it can also mean a piece of kitchen furniture used to store and show plates and dishes. In medical settings, a dresser may be someone who cleans and covers wounds. The meaning depends on the situation.
The word "dresser" has several meanings, and the setting usually tells you which one is meant. The most common meaning today is a chest of drawers used for storing clothes in a bedroom. You might say, "He put his shirts in the dresser," meaning this piece of furniture. In British English, a dresser, often called a Welsh dresser, can also be a large piece of kitchen or dining-room furniture used to store and display plates, bowls, and other dishes.
Beyond furniture, "dresser" can also describe certain jobs. In theater productions or on film sets, a dresser is a wardrobe assistant who helps actors with costumes and quick changes between scenes. They make sure clothing is ready, fits properly, and can be changed fast when needed.
The word also has a medical meaning. In some healthcare settings, a dresser is a person who gives basic wound care, such as cleaning and dressing an injury. This meaning comes from the verb "to dress," which can mean to treat and cover a wound.
So when you see the word "dresser," pay attention to the context. It may refer to bedroom furniture, a kitchen cabinet, a theater worker, or someone caring for wounds. One simple word can belong to very different parts of daily life.
Examples
- 1
Clothing storage
She keeps her sweaters and T-shirts in the dresser by the bed.
- 2
Bedroom surface
My keys were on the dresser next to the lamp.
- 3
Guest room
We need another dresser for the guest room because the closet is tiny.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dressernoun
Forms
- dresserspluralnoun