unclothe

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unclothe" is correct and usable in written English.
This verb typically means to remove clothing or take off a garment. For example, "John unclothed himself and jumped into the pool."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I let him unclothe me".

The New York Times - Books

I had a secret crush on him until he tried to unclothe me when I was too sick from drinking to stop him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"When Steven did a test of David, he said the magic word, 'Terminator,' " Mr. Zucchelli said, referring to a series of images of the statuesque Mr. Agbodji unclothed.

The New York Times

Stephanie Muise, 37, a social worker in Toronto, recalled the incredulous stare she got from a German couch surfer when, halfway into his stay, he found her working on her laptop unclothed.

The New York Times

The problem is that in a museum setting it is next to impossible to experience stones unclothed by cultural, symbolic associations.

The New York Times - Arts

He had at the time been living in exile for five years, having received death threats and multiple lawsuits from Hindu fundamentalists outraged at paintings that featured their gods unclothed.

The Guardian - Arts

One of the most startling scenes is the one in which Dodd starts singing I'll Go No More a Roving in polite company, and we see – through Quell's eyes, and perhaps through Dodd's – the women there unclothed.

The Guardian - Film

Then, he said, Ms. Sasoon -- who was unclothed from the waist down and bleeding heavily -- turned to him and said, "You have to help my husband and my baby".

The New York Times

Des Peres, Mo., a St . Louissuburb, passed a more limited and specific law in September that bans taking photos of a person who is partly unclothed without consent in an area where they should expect privacy.

The New York Times - Tech

Ms. Linke is never unclothed in the slightly scattered but entertaining "Often I Find That I Am Naked," which opened on Tuesday night at the New York International Fringe Festival.

The New York Times

By summer, many were unclothed.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unclothe" when you want a more evocative or literary way to describe removing clothes. It can also imply a sense of vulnerability or exposure.

Common error

Avoid using "unclothe" in highly formal or technical writing, as it can sound overly descriptive or even inappropriate. Opt for more neutral terms like "remove clothing" or "undress" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unclothe" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of removing clothes from someone or something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid verb for describing the action of taking off garments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unclothe" is a grammatically correct verb that means to remove clothes. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it's a valid and usable word, although relatively uncommon. It carries a neutral tone, often found in news and media, used to describe the action of undressing. While acceptable, consider the context and audience when choosing it over more common alternatives like "undress" or "strip". Its effectiveness lies in its ability to add a nuanced tone to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undress

A direct synonym, focusing on the action of removing clothes.

strip naked

Emphasizes complete removal of clothing and nudity.

take off clothes

A more common and general way to describe removing clothes.

disrobe

A more formal and literary term for undressing.

peel off

Suggests a quick or casual removal of clothing.

denude

Implies a forceful or complete removal of covering, can be used metaphorically.

expose

Highlights the act of making something visible that was previously hidden.

bare

Focuses on revealing or exposing something, not necessarily removing clothes.

uncover

A broader term suggesting the removal of any kind of covering.

lay bare

Similar to 'bare', but often used metaphorically for revealing hidden information.

FAQs

How can I use "unclothe" in a sentence?

"Unclothe" is a verb that means to remove clothes. For example, "He decided to "strip naked" and jump in the pool", which is a possible context for it.

What is a synonym for "unclothe"?

Synonyms for "unclothe" include "undress", "disrobe", and "strip". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "unclothed"?

Yes, "unclothed" is the past participle and past tense of "unclothe". For example, "The statuesque model was photographed "nude"".

What is the difference between "unclothe" and "undress"?

"Unclothe" is generally considered a more literary or evocative term than "undress". "Undress" is a more common and neutral term.