noun
A somewhat literary or traditional word for clothing as something worn on the body; in everyday modern speech, 服 is usually more natural for ordinary clothes.
その物語では、王が粗末な衣をまとって旅に出る。
In the story, the king sets out on a journey wearing humble garments.
Used for robe-like garments, especially in traditional, religious, ceremonial, or literary contexts.
僧は法要の前に紫の衣に着替えた。
The monk changed into a purple robe before the memorial service.
noun
coating; batter; icing or glaze
The layer covering food or another surface; very common in cooking, especially for batter on fried foods such as tempura.
エビに衣をつけて油で揚げる。
Coat the shrimp in batter and fry them in oil.
この天ぷらは衣が薄くて軽い。
This tempura has a thin, light coating.
The everyday word for clothes; 衣 in the clothing sense sounds more literary or traditional.
A more formal or written word for clothing in general; unlike 衣, it is not used for food coating.
Refers to costumes, outfits, or stage/formal dress; 衣 can mean a robe or garment more broadly and also a coating.
ころも is a native Japanese word conventionally written with 衣, a kanji meaning clothing. The food-coating sense can be understood as an extension from something that covers, but the exact historical development is not specified.