don

Formsdons, donning, donned

Pluraldons

1. 1
   put on clothesverbtransitive

   To put on clothes, a hat, or other things you wear.

   The players don their red shirts before every home game.

   She donned a warm hat and went out into the snow.

   UsageOften with uniforms or safety gear. In everyday talk, say put on.

   Similardress, clothe, attire

   Oppositedoff

   Note
2. 2
   title of respectnouncountable

   A polite title put before a man's first name in Spanish or Italian, used for nobles, respected men and Italian priests.

   The servants bowed when Don Carlos rode into the village.

   The rich dons of the valley owned all the farms, and the farmers took off their hats to them.

   UsageWrite it with a capital before a name: Don Esteban.

   Similarnobleman, gentleman, lord

   Note
3. 3
   mafia bossnouncountable

   A leader of a mafia group of criminals.

   Everyone in the neighborhood was afraid of the don and his men.

   The police arrested the don and three members of his gang.

   Similarboss, godfather, kingpin

4. 4
   university teachernounUKcountable

   A teacher at a university, especially at Oxford or Cambridge.

   Her tutor was a quiet don who had taught at Oxford for thirty years.

   The students stood up when the dons came into the hall.

   UsageAmericans usually say professor.

   Similarlecturer, academic, professor, fellow

   Note
5. 5
   residence workernounCanadacountable

   A worker at a university residence who lives there with the students.

   Our floor don helped us settle in on the first day of residence.

   The dons in our residence plan a movie night every Friday.

   Note
6. 6
   noundialectalMulticultural London Englishcountable

   A man or a guy, said in casual talk.

   Who's that don standing outside the shop?

   Some don on the bus was playing his music way too loud.

   Similarguy, bloke, geezer

   Note

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