Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Complete, thorough, and formal: Used to describe an event, activity, or piece of work that is conducted with complete seriousness, thorough preparation, and often with formal ceremony or procedure.
   • Requiring or involving formal attire: Used to describe an occasion that demands formal clothing, such as white tie or black tie.

Examples of Usage

• As an adjective (complete/thorough):
  • The committee conducted a full-dress inquiry into the allegations.
  • Before the product launch, the team held a full-dress rehearsal of the presentation.
• As an adjective (formal attire):
  • The ambassador hosted a full-dress dinner for the visiting dignitaries.
  • The graduation ceremony is a full-dress affair.

Advanced Usage

• "Full-dress uniform": The complete, most formal version of a military or other official uniform, worn on ceremonial occasions.
  • The officers stood at attention in their full-dress uniforms.
• "Full-dress debate": A formal, structured, and comprehensive debate, often in a parliamentary or academic setting, where all aspects are thoroughly examined.
  • The senate held a full-dress debate on the proposed constitutional amendment.

Variants and Related Words

• Dress (adjective): Of or denoting clothing suitable for a formal occasion.
  • Dress code, dress shoes.
• Full-dress rehearsal (noun phrase): A final rehearsal for a performance (e.g., play, opera, ceremony) where everything is done as it would be in the actual performance, including costumes, lighting, and props.

Synonyms

• Formal: Following established conventions of ceremony and behavior.
• Ceremonial: Relating to or used for formal events of a public or religious nature.
• Comprehensive: Complete and including everything that is necessary.
• Thorough: Carried out completely and carefully.

Antonyms

• Informal: Having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style.
• Casual: Relaxed and unconcerned; not formal.
• Preliminary: Denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.
• Partial: Not complete or whole.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• In full fig: (British, informal) Dressed in very smart, formal clothes. This is a related idiom conveying the idea of formal attire, similar to the "formal attire" sense of "full-dress."
  • He turned up to the wedding in full fig.

Adjective

1. complete in every respect
   • a full-dress debate
   • a full-dress investigation
2. (of an occasion) requiring formal clothes
   • a dress dinner
   • a full-dress ceremony
3. suitable for formal occasions
   • formal wear
   • a full-dress uniform
   • dress shoes