Skip to main content

dress rehearsal — A final practice performance of a play or show before the actual performance, usually in full costume and makeup

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A final practice performance of a play or show before the actual performance, usually in full costume and makeup

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdres rɪˈhɜːrsəl/

Example Sentences

  • The bride insisted on having a dress rehearsal for her wedding, complete with fake bouquet and imaginary guests.
  • During the dress rehearsal, the lead actor forgot his lines and started improvising Shakespeare.
  • The orchestra's dress rehearsal revealed several timing issues that needed to be fixed.

dress rehearsal

NOUN

[/ˈdres rɪˈhɜːrsəl/]

A final practice performance of a play or show before the actual performance, usually in full costume and makeup

The cast performs a full dress rehearsal the night before opening.
💡 Concept

The cast performs a full dress rehearsal the night before opening.

The dress rehearsal goes commercial, but stays controversial!
🎵 Rhyme

The dress rehearsal goes commercial, but stays controversial!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdres rɪˈhɜːrsəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈdres rɪˈhɜːsəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootdress + rehearse
Suffix--al

Origin

Dress rehearsal combines two elements: 'dress' derives from Old French 'drecier' (to arrange, prepare), referring to complete attire or full preparation. 'Rehearsal' comes from Old French 'rehercier' (to go over again, repeat), literally meaning to rake over again like a farmer turning soil, applied metaphorically to repeated practice of theatrical performances.

Breakdown

dress (complete preparation, full attire) + rehearsal (re- again + hercier to rake/repeat), combining to mean a final practice performance in full costume and setting before the actual presentation.

🎵Rhyme

commercial
controversial
universal

🔗Collocations

final dress rehearsal
attend dress rehearsal
dress rehearsal performance
dress rehearsal went well
skip dress rehearsal

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The bride insisted on having a dress rehearsal for her wedding, complete with fake bouquet and imaginary guests.”

😄 Fun example

“During the dress rehearsal, the lead actor forgot his lines and started improvising Shakespeare.”

“The orchestra's dress rehearsal revealed several timing issues that needed to be fixed.”

“She treated the job interview like a dress rehearsal for her dream career.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.