What does "apron" mean?
An article of clothing worn over the front of the torso and/or legs for protection from spills; also historically worn by Freemasons and as part of women's fashion.
Apron
/ˈeɪ.pɹən/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An article of clothing worn over the front of the torso and/or legs for protection from spills; also historically worn by Freemasons and as part of women's fashion.
- Grammar: apron is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: acting area, aircraft stand, airstrip, apron stage.
- Useful contrasts: bare skin, uncovered clothing, unprotected clothing.
- Usage evidence: I am tied to my mother's apron strings.
How to use "apron"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apron" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apron" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apron" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apron" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apron" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acting area" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apron", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An article of clothing worn over the front of the torso and/or legs for protection from spills; also historically worn by Freemasons and as part of women's fashion.
"She tied an apron around her waist before cooking dinner."
- 2 a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing wordnet
- 3 The short cassock ordinarily worn by English bishops.
- 4 a paved surface where aircraft stand while not being used wordnet
- 5 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; The paved area of an airport, especially the area where aircraft park away from a terminal.
"The plane was parked on the airport apron."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain) wordnet
- 7 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; The spreading end of a driveway.
- 8 (golf) the part of the fairway leading onto the green wordnet
- 9 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; The paved area below the yellow line on a racetrack.
- 10 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; The loading, parking or roadway area immediately beside a railway station or marine terminal.
- 11 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; The portion of a stage extending towards the audience beyond the proscenium arch in a theatre.
- 12 A hard surface bordering a structure or area.; A large decal toward the bottom of a pinball table.
- 13 A raised panel below a window or wall monument or tablet.
- 14 The sides of a tree's canopy.
- 15 The cap of a cannon; a piece of lead laid over the vent to keep the priming dry.
- 16 A removable cover for the passengers' feet and legs in an open horse carriage.
Verb
- 1 To cover with, or as if with, an apron. transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
bare skinuncovered clothingunprotected clothing
Example
"I am tied to my mother's apron strings."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apron"?
Common synonyms include: acting area, aircraft stand, airstrip, apron stage, backstage, band shell.
How do you use "apron" in a sentence?
I am tied to my mother's apron strings.
How do you pronounce "apron"?
Pronounced /ˈeɪ.pɹən/.
Etymology
Rebracketing of napron (a napron → an apron), from Middle English naperoun, napron, apron, from Old French napperon, diminutive of nappe (“tablecloth”), from Latin mappa (“napkin”). For other similar cases of rebracketing, see adder, daffodil, newt, nickname, orange, trickle, umpire.