verb (used with object), ap·par·eled, ap·par·el·ing or (especially British) ap·par·elled, ap·par·el·ling. to dress or clothe. to adorn; ornament. Nautical. to equip (a vessel) with apparel.
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Apparel comes from the meaning "to wear" so it includes clothing and "outfitting" (i.e. equipment/accessories worn or carried for function or decoration). Clothing is the "cloth" you wear as part of your apparel for body protection/modesty.
Clothing. The definition of apparel is anything you wear to protect, wrap, or beautify your body. A jogging suit is an example of sports apparel. Anything that clothes or adorns.
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Entry 1 of 2) 1 : personal attire : clothing of a particular kind dressed in fine apparel —used chiefly in U.S. English to refer to clothing that is being sold in stores a new line of women's apparelathletic apparel. 2 : the equipment (such as sails and rigging) of a ship.