outfit
OWT-fiht
Outfit (noun) means a set of clothes worn together, often for a particular occasion. Example: “Her carnival outfit included a sparkly hat, a long cape and bright red boots.”
noun
1
A set of clothes worn together, often for a particular occasion.
"Her carnival outfit included a sparkly hat, a long cape and bright red boots."
"She bought a new outfit for the job interview."
"He wore a matching outfit to the party as a joke."
2
Informally, a group of people working together, such as a business or team.
"My cousin works for a tiny design outfit run from a spare bedroom."
"The local building outfit finished our extension ahead of schedule."
"He used to work for a small marketing outfit downtown."
verb
1
To supply or equip someone or something, usually for a particular purpose.
"The school outfitted every pupil with a free pair of sports shoes."
"She spent the weekend outfitting the spare room with shelves and a desk."
"The expedition was outfitted with new cold-weather gear."
How to use outfit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA matching set of clothes, or informally, a company or team.
Common pairings
new outfit
matching outfit
small outfit
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Word forms
- Plural
- outfits
- Third person singular
- outfits
- Past tense
- outfitted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her carnival _____ included a sparkly hat, a long cape and bright red boots.
Etymology
A variant of the older phrase "fit out," rearranged into "out-fit."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “outfit” mean?
The word “outfit” means a set of clothes worn together, often for a particular occasion. In plain terms, a matching set of clothes, or informally, a company or team.
How do you pronounce “outfit”?
“Outfit” is pronounced OWT-fiht (/ˈaʊtfɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “outfit” in a sentence?
Here is “outfit” used in a sentence: “She bought a new outfit for the job interview.”
What part of speech is “outfit”?
Depending on how it is used, “outfit” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “outfit” a common word?
“Outfit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “outfit” have?
“Outfit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of clothes worn together, often for a particular occasion.
What is the difference between an outfit and an ensemble?
Both refer to a coordinated set of clothes worn together, but ensemble is more formal and stresses that the pieces are deliberately matched, while outfit is the everyday word for any set of clothes worn for an occasion.
What is the difference between an outfit and a costume?
An outfit is any set of clothes worn together, while a costume is clothing worn to look like someone or something else, as in a play, film, or fancy-dress event.
Can outfit mean a company or team?
Yes. Informally, outfit can mean a group of people working together, such as a business, a military unit, or a team, as in 'she runs a small outfit'.
Is it correct to call a business an 'outfit'?
Yes, but it is informal. Calling a company an outfit is casual and sometimes slightly dismissive or affectionate, so it suits conversation more than formal writing.
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