suit
17 synonyms and 0 antonyms for suit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use suit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French sieute/suite, meaning things that "follow" together as a set — the same root that gave English suite, since the pieces of a suit of clothes are worn following one another.
Full origin of suit →Frequently asked questions
What does “suit” mean?
The word “suit” means a matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing. In plain terms, a matching set of clothing, or (as a verb) to be a good fit for someone's needs.
How do you pronounce “suit”?
“Suit” is pronounced soot (/sut/ in IPA).
How do you use “suit” in a sentence?
Here is “suit” used in a sentence: “He wore a dark grey suit to the interview.”
What part of speech is “suit”?
Depending on how it is used, “suit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “suit” come from?
The word “suit” comes from Old French. From Old French sieute/suite, meaning things that "follow" together as a set — the same root that gave English suite, since the pieces of a suit of clothes are worn following one another.
Is “suit” a common word?
“Suit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “suit” have?
“Suit” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing.
What is the difference between a suit and a suite?
A suit is a matching jacket and trousers or skirt worn as formal clothing, and it rhymes with 'boot'. A suite, pronounced 'sweet', is a set of connected things — hotel rooms, matching furniture, or software programs. The spellings are close, but the meanings and sounds differ.
What are the different types of suits?
Common styles include the two-piece suit of jacket and trousers, the three-piece suit that adds a waistcoat, the business or lounge suit for work, and the dinner suit or tuxedo for formal evenings. Suits also vary by cut, from slim-fit to classic and double-breasted.
What is the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?
A standard suit is everyday formal or business wear, usually in wool with matching buttons and lapels. A tuxedo, or dinner suit, is reserved for formal evening events and features satin details on the lapels, buttons, and trouser seams, typically worn with a bow tie.
What is a three-piece suit?
A three-piece suit consists of a jacket, matching trousers, and a waistcoat (vest) cut from the same fabric. The extra waistcoat adds formality and lets the wearer remove the jacket while still looking dressed. A two-piece suit, by contrast, has just the jacket and trousers.