suit
soot
Suit (noun) means a matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing. Example: “He wore a dark grey suit to the interview.”
noun
1
A matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing.
"He wore a dark grey suit to the interview."
"She had the suit tailored to fit perfectly."
"My brother bought a new suit for his cousin's wedding."
2
A full protective or specialized outfit for a particular activity.
"The astronaut checked her space suit before the spacewalk."
"Divers need a wetsuit in cold water."
"The beekeeper put on a white suit before opening the hive."
3
A legal case brought to a court; a lawsuit.
"The family filed suit against the manufacturer."
"The shop owner decided to bring a suit against the builder."
"The suit was settled before it ever reached the courtroom."
4
One of the four categories (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) that a deck of playing cards is divided into.
"She won the hand by holding every card in one suit."
"In this game, you must follow the suit that was led."
"Spades is her favourite suit because the symbol looks elegant."
verb
1
To be convenient, acceptable, or right for someone or something.
"Come over whenever suits you."
"This job suits her much better than the last one."
"Does Thursday at ten suit you for the meeting?"
How to use suit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA matching set of clothing, or (as a verb) to be a good fit for someone's needs.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with suite, a set of rooms or connected items, pronounced "sweet."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
business suit
file suit
suit yourself
follow suit
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Word forms
- Plural
- suits
- Third person singular
- suits
- Past tense
- suited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a dark grey _____ to the interview.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for suit
See all rhymes for 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.
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