Pronunciation: [ɡˈa͡ʊn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "gown" is often confusing because it is not spelled the way it sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ɡaʊn/. The "g" is pronounced as a hard "g" sound, and the "ow" is pronounced like the word "now." This is followed by an "n" sound at the end. It's important to remember the correct spelling of "gown" as it is commonly used to describe formal attire for weddings or other special events.
A gown is a noun that refers to a long, flowing garment worn by individuals on special occasions or by certain professionals in their line of work. Typically, gowns are made of high-quality, elegant fabrics such as silk, satin, or velvet, and they often feature intricate and ornate designs or embellishments.
Gowns are commonly associated with formal events, including weddings, proms, charitable galas, or red-carpet affairs, where they signify elegance, sophistication, and the dressing up for the occasion. Wedding gowns, specifically, are traditionally white or ivory in color and are worn by the bride during the marriage ceremony.
In addition to these ceremonial contexts, certain professionals, such as doctors, judges, or academics, wear gowns as part of their official attire to signify their roles. These professional gowns are usually more conservative in design and often serve as a symbol of authority, expertise, or tradition.
The term "gown" can also refer to a loose-fitting, comfortable garment typically worn when relaxing or sleeping. These sleepwear gowns are usually made of soft, breathable materials such as cotton or flannel, providing maximum comfort and freedom of movement during rest or relaxation.
Overall, the concept of a gown encompasses both formal and functional garments, representing various cultural, professional, and personal significances depending on the context in which they are worn.
A woman's upper garment; a long, loose, light robe worn by professors, clergymen, barristers, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "gown" originated from the Old French word "gonne" which, in turn, came from the Late Latin word "gunna". It originally referred to a type of outer garment, typically worn by both men and women, that covered the entire body. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved, and "gown" came to specifically refer to a long, loose-fitting garment worn by women.
