waistcoat

IPA/ˈweɪskəʊt/
IPA/ˈweskət/

waistcoat — noun

  • waistcoatsingular
  • waistcoatsplural

1. A sleeveless item of clothing that closes at the front with a row of buttons; it

1.nounB1
Definition

A sleeveless item of clothing that closes at the front with a row of buttons; it sits on top of a buttoned shirt and frequently forms part of a suit.

Example

Henry wore a grey waistcoat over his white shirt for the wedding.

formal occasion: worn over a shirt for a wedding

The waiter's uniform included a black waistcoat with shiny silver buttons.

uniform context: part of a work uniform

Common collocations
  • formal waistcoat
  • knitted waistcoat
  • three-piece suit with a waistcoat
  • waistcoat pocket
  • waistcoat buttons
Synonyms
  • vest

    The American English equivalent; not used for this garment in British English, where 'vest' means an undershirt

  • gilet

    A similar sleeveless outer garment, usually padded or quilted and worn outdoors rather than as formal wear

Grammar Patterns

wear + waistcoat

a [colour/material] waistcoat

Usage Note

This is the British term for the garment; in American English the same item is usually called a 'vest'. The term 'vest' in British English refers to an undergarment worn next to the skin.

Common Mistakes

He put on a waistcoat under his T-shirt before going out.
He put on a waistcoat over his shirt before going out.
a waistcoat is worn on top of a shirt, not under casual tops.
She wore a warm waistcoat with long sleeves in winter.
She wore a warm knitted waistcoat in winter.
waistcoats are always sleeveless.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Both 'waistcoat' and 'vest' describe a sleeveless garment covering the upper body, but they differ by region: 'waistcoat' is the standard British term for a formal buttoned garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket, while 'vest' is the American equivalent. In British English, 'vest' instead refers to an undershirt worn next to the skin. A 'gilet' is a sleeveless padded jacket worn outdoors for warmth, not for formal occasions. 'Jerkin' is a historical term for a close-fitting leather or cloth jacket, now mostly used in historical contexts. For example, a banker might wear a striped waistcoat with his suit, while a hiker wears a down gilet over a fleece.

vest ↗gilet ↗jerkin

Common collocations

Nouns

  • suit waistcoat
  • waistcoat pocket
  • waistcoat button

Phrases

  • shirt and waistcoat
  • three-piece suit with a waistcoat
  • waistcoat and trousers

Prepositions

  • in a waistcoat
  • with a waistcoat

Etymology

EnglishMiddle EnglishOld English

From 'waist' and 'coat'. The garment was originally a short coat that reached only to the waist, worn under a longer outer coat. First recorded in English in the late 1500s, it became a standard part of men's formalwear by the 1700s. The term reflects the garment's original length — it covered the torso down to the waistline, unlike a full-length coat.

First known use

1519

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1