noun
Uncommon
vest
vehst
Vest (noun) means a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit (called a "waistcoat" in British English). Example: “He wore a three-piece suit with a matching vest.”
noun
1
A sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit (called a "waistcoat" in British English).
"He wore a three-piece suit with a matching vest."
2
A sleeveless undergarment worn beneath a shirt.
"He layered a vest under his jumper to stay warm."
"Grandad always wears a white cotton vest under his shirt, even in summer."
"I packed a clean vest and socks for each day of the trip."
verb
1
To officially give someone a right or power, or to have that right or power become legally theirs.
"Full ownership of the shares vests after four years with the company."
"The court vested custody of the children in their grandmother."
"Under the new law, the power to approve building plans vests in the local council."
How to use vest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sleeveless piece of clothing; in a legal or financial sense, to formally grant or confirm a right.
UK vs US
In British English, "vest" usually means an undershirt, while the outer sleeveless suit garment is a "waistcoat"; in American English, "vest" covers both.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
stock options vest
a life vest
a bulletproof vest
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Word forms
- Plural
- vests
- Third person singular
- vests
- Past tense
- vested
Fill the gap
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He wore a three-piece suit with a matching _____.
Etymology
From French veste, from Latin vestis, "garment, clothing", ultimately from a root meaning "to be dressed" — related to the everyday word "wear".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vest
See all rhymes for vest →Frequently asked questions
What does “vest” mean?
The word “vest” means a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit (called a "waistcoat" in British English). In plain terms, a sleeveless piece of clothing; in a legal or financial sense, to formally grant or confirm a right.
How do you pronounce “vest”?
“Vest” is pronounced vehst (/vɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “vest” in a sentence?
Here is “vest” used in a sentence: “He wore a three-piece suit with a matching vest.”
What part of speech is “vest”?
Depending on how it is used, “vest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “vest” come from?
The word “vest” comes from Latin. From French veste, from Latin vestis, "garment, clothing", ultimately from a root meaning "to be dressed" — related to the everyday word "wear".
Is “vest” a common word?
“Vest” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vest” have?
“Vest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit (called a "waistcoat" in British English).
What is the difference between a vest in American English and British English?
In American English, a vest is a sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit, and is called a 'waistcoat' in British English. In British English, 'vest' instead usually refers to a sleeveless undergarment worn beneath a shirt, which Americans would typically call an 'undershirt.'
What does it mean for rights or power to vest in someone?
When rights or power vest in someone, it means those rights or that power officially and legally become theirs, often after a set condition or period of time has been met, such as an employee's pension benefits vesting after several years of service.
What is a bulletproof vest?
A bulletproof vest is a protective sleeveless garment, typically worn by police officers or soldiers, designed to be worn over other clothing to protect the torso from bullets or other projectiles.
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