jersey
JUR-zee
Jersey (noun) means a close-fitting knitted top, originally made of wool, worn on the upper body. Example: “She pulled on a warm jersey before heading out into the cold.”
noun
1
A close-fitting knitted top, originally made of wool, worn on the upper body.
"She pulled on a warm jersey before heading out into the cold."
"The old fisherman's jersey had gone soft and grey with age."
"He tugged his woollen jersey down over his hands to keep warm."
2
The shirt worn by a member of a sports team, usually printed with a number and the player's name.
"Fans lined up to buy the new team jersey ahead of the season."
"He kept his old football jersey framed on the wall."
"The goalkeeper wore a bright green jersey with the number one on the back."
3
A soft, stretchy knitted fabric used for clothing.
"The dress was made from a lightweight cotton jersey."
"This soft jersey stretches easily, so the top feels comfortable all day."
"The tailor recommended a thin jersey for the skirt because it drapes well."
How to use jersey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA knitted top or sports shirt — or the soft, stretchy fabric it's made from.
UK vs US
In American English "jersey" more often means a sports shirt; in British English it can also just mean an everyday knitted jumper.
Common pairings
team jersey
wool jersey
jersey fabric
football jersey
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Word forms
- Plural
- jerseys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She pulled on a warm _____ before heading out into the cold.
Etymology
Named after Jersey, the Channel Island where knitted woollen garments of this style were traditionally worn by fishermen.
Related words
Rhymes for jersey
See all rhymes for jersey →Frequently asked questions
What does “jersey” mean?
The word “jersey” means a close-fitting knitted top, originally made of wool, worn on the upper body. In plain terms, a knitted top or sports shirt — or the soft, stretchy fabric it's made from.
How do you pronounce “jersey”?
“Jersey” is pronounced JUR-zee (/ˈd͡ʒɝzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “jersey” in a sentence?
Here is “jersey” used in a sentence: “She pulled on a warm jersey before heading out into the cold.”
What part of speech is “jersey”?
“Jersey” is a noun.
Is “jersey” a common word?
“Jersey” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “jersey” have?
“Jersey” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a close-fitting knitted top, originally made of wool, worn on the upper body.
What is the difference between a jersey and a sweater?
The two overlap. A jersey is a knitted top worn on the upper body, and in British English it is often used interchangeably with jumper or sweater. Strictly, jersey can suggest a finer, closer-fitting knit, while sweater is the more general American word for any knitted pullover.
Why is a sports shirt called a jersey?
The word comes from the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands, once famous for its knitted woollen garments. The soft, stretchy machine-knitted cloth became known as jersey, and tops made from it, including team sports shirts, took the same name from the fabric.
What is the difference between a jersey and a jumper?
In British English they are near-synonyms: both are knitted tops worn over the upper body. Jumper is the more common everyday word in the UK, while jersey can imply a closer-fitting or finer knit. In American English, sweater usually covers both of them.
What material is a jersey made of?
Traditionally a jersey was knitted from wool, which gave both warmth and stretch. Today the same soft, slightly elastic knitted fabric, also called jersey, is made from cotton, synthetic fibres, or blends. That is why sports shirts and even T-shirt cloth are often described as jersey.
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