Einkleiden

Einkleiden is a German verb that means to clothe or dress someone, i.e., to provide clothing for another person or to dress someone in a particular outfit. It is primarily used transitively with a person or object, as in jemanden einkleiden.

The reflexive form sich einkleiden exists but is less common in everyday language; in many contexts it is replaced by sich anziehen or similar constructions. The word is formed from the prefix ein- plus kleiden, conveying the sense of supplying or dressing someone into clothing.

Etymology: The term derives from kleiden (to clothe) with the prefix ein-, indicating the act of putting clothing onto someone or supplying clothing for a purpose, such as a costume or uniform.

Usage: Einkleiden appears mainly in professional or formal contexts, including costume design for theatre or film, fashion or wardrobe coordination, and situations involving the provision of uniforms or protective clothing. In everyday speech, speakers more often use synonyms such as jemanden anziehen (to dress someone) or outstand contexts using ausstatten (to outfit).

Examples: Der Kostümbildner einkleidet die Schauspielerinnen mit historischen Kostümen. Der Patient wird von der Pflegekraft eingekleidet.

See also: Kleiden, Anziehen, Auskleiden, Kostümierung, Uniformierung.