French word

tenue

Pronunciation

IPA/təny/

Meaning

  • feminine nounoutfit

Example

J'aime ta tenue.

I like your outfit.

Illustration for tenue (outfit)

More examples

Elle portait une tenue professionnelle pour l'entretien.

She wore professional attire for the interview.

Core concept

A person's overall outfit, including how the clothes are coordinated and presented.

Common phrases

  • tenue de soirée

    evening wear

  • tenue décontractée

    casual wear

  • tenue professionnelle

    professional attire

Similar words

vêtement: A garment worn as an individual piece of clothing.
style: A distinctive appearance shaped by clothing choices and design.
look: The general impression created by a person's outward appearance.

Definition in French

Manière dont une personne est vêtue, incluant les vêtements et la façon de se présenter sans détailler chaque élément.

Word origin

Tenue developed in Old French as a feminine noun from the past participle of tenir, from Latin tenere, and came to denote a manner of being dressed.

Usage tips

  • Tenue is feminine, so the usual form is une tenue, and it often refers to the complete outfit rather than one vêtement.

Other meanings

  • appearancenoun
  • costumenoun

Opposites

  • nuditénuditynoun

Related words

  • contenucontentnoun
  • tenuheldadjective

Word lists with this word