French word

habiller

Pronunciation

IPA/abije/

Meaning

  • verbdress

Example

Elle va habiller sa fille avant la fête.

She is going to dress her daughter before the party.

Illustration for habiller (dress)

More examples

Elle aime habiller la poupée de sa fille.

She likes to dress her daughter's doll.

Core concept

Hands place clothes on someone, covering the body while arranging the person's appearance.

Common phrases

  • habiller la poupée

    dress the doll

  • habiller son bébé

    dress one's baby

Similar words

mettre: Put clothing or accessories on someone.
enfiler: Guide an arm or leg through a garment opening.
s'habiller: Dress oneself while making one's appearance presentable.

Definition in French

Donner et mettre des vêtements à quelqu'un pour couvrir son corps ou soigner son apparence.

Word origin

French habiller developed from Old French abillier, which meant to prepare or equip and later specialized in dressing.

Usage tips

  • Habiller is transitive for dressing another person, while the reflexive form s'habiller means to get dressed.

Other meanings

  • decorateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • habilleurcostume dressernoun
  • habillagedressingnoun

Word lists with this word