Learn English Verbs

Many verbs have different meanings, however this section deals with verbs and phrasal verbs connected with clothes. An example is provided only where the verb is commonly used in everyday conversation.

One irregular verb in bold is shown in all its forms.

Verbs

The Verb (infinitive form)	The Meaning	An example ( Simple Past Tense)	R=Regular Verb I=Irregular Verb
To attire	To dress (especially in fine elegant clothes).	(Rarely used in conversation)	R
To buckle	To fasten an item of clothing using a buckle.	She buckled up her daughters shoes.	R
To button	To fasten an item of clothing using buttons.	She buttoned up her cardigan before she went outside.	R
To clothe	To dress (yourself or someone else).	(Rarely used in conversation)	R
To dress or more common To get dressed	To put clothes on (yourself or someone else).	She dressed before she went to work. or She got dressed before she went to work.	R (get is irregular)
To fasten	To secure an item of clothing, using zips, buttons or buckles.	She fastened his jacket to make sure he didn't get cold.	R
To sew	To join, fasten, or repair (something) by making stitches with a needle and thread or a sewing machine.	She sewed her own clothes.	I
To undress or more common To get undressed	To take off clothes (your own or someone elses).	He undressed before getting into the shower.	R (get is irregular)
To unfasten	To undo or open an item of clothing.	He unfastened his tie before he took it off.	R
To unzip	To unfasten an item of clothing using a zip.	She unzipped her jacket when she got too warm.	R
To wear	To have an item of clothing on one's person.	She wore her best suit for the interview.	I
To zip	To fasten an item of clothing using a zip.	She zipped up her jacket before she went outside.	R

Phrasal Verbs

The Phrasal Verb	The Meaning	An example ( Simple Past Tense)	S=Separable I=Inseparable
do up	To fasten an item of clothing.	She did his jacket up for him before he left the house.	S
dress up	To dress (oneself or another) in your best clothes. or To put on fancy dress (disguise oneself or another to be someone else) in children's games.	She enjoyed dressing up to go out. or The children enjoyed dressing up in their mother's clothes.	I
hang out	To dry clothes outside after washing.	The weather was fine, so she hung out the washing.	S
hang up	To put something on a hook or a hanger.	She was a very neat child. She hung her clothes up every night.	S
have on	To wear an item of clothing on one's person.	She had a red t-shirt on when he saw her.	S
kick off	To remove your shoes quickly.	He kicked his shoes off as soon as he got home.	S
put on	To dress yourself or someone else with an item or items of clothing.	He put his shoes on before he went out.	S
slip on	To put on an item of clothing easily.	She slipped her sandals on before she went into the sea.	S
take off	To remove any item of clothing.	He took his shoes off before he went to bed.	S
try on	To put on an item of clothing to find out whether it fits or is suitable.	She always tried shoes on before she bought them.	S
throw on	To put on an item of clothing quickly and without thought.	She was in such a hurry she just threw on a few clothes before she left the house.	S
turn up	To shorten trousers, a dress or a skirt so that they fit better.	Her jeans were too long, so she turned them up.	S
wrap up	To put warm clothes on.	His mother told him to wrap himself up warm because it was so cold outside.	S
zip up	To fasten an item of clothing using a zip.	It was cold outside, so he zipped his jacket up.	S