noun

paletot

PAL-it-oh

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Paletot (noun) means a loose, coat-like outer garment once worn as an overcoat or cloak. Example: “He buttoned his paletot against the cold before stepping out.”

noun

historical A loose, coat-like outer garment once worn as an overcoat or cloak.

"He buttoned his paletot against the cold before stepping out."

"In old prints, gentlemen are often shown in long paletots reaching past the knee."

"She found a Victorian paletot folded away in the trunk."

A fitted jacket cut for a woman.

"The dressmaker trimmed the paletot with a row of small buttons."

"She wore a tailored paletot over her blouse."

"The shop sold matching paletots and skirts as a set."

How to use paletot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for a coat, or a tailored jacket for women.

When to use it

The coat sense is historical, so it now turns up mainly in descriptions of period dress rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Treat paletot as a French loanword kept whole in English, so its spelling does not follow ordinary English coat-word patterns.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a long paletot a tailored paletot wear a paletot button a paletot

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “paletot” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He buttoned his _____ against the cold before stepping out.

Etymology

Paletot came into English directly from French, where it named the same kind of loose outer coat. English speakers borrowed both the word and the garment together, without reshaping its spelling.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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overcoat greatcoat

Related words

coat Ulster overcoat undercoat topcoat overcoating

Frequently asked questions

What does paletot mean?

It is an old name for a loose outer coat, and also a term for a fitted women's jacket. Which sense applies depends on the period and context.

Is a paletot the same as an overcoat?

In its older sense, yes, a paletot was a type of loose overcoat or cloak worn over other clothes.

How do you pronounce paletot?

In British English it is said as PAL-it-oh, with the stress on the first syllable.

What is the meaning of paletot?

"paletot" (noun) means a loose, coat-like outer garment once worn as an overcoat or cloak.

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coat Ulster overcoat undercoat topcoat overcoating