assault jacket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist / Fashion
Quick answer
What does “assault jacket” mean?
A durable, practical jacket originally designed for military use, typically featuring multiple pockets, a belt, and a rugged construction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A durable, practical jacket originally designed for military use, typically featuring multiple pockets, a belt, and a rugged construction.
A style of jacket inspired by military designs, often worn as casual or fashion outerwear. It may retain functional features like epaulettes, large pockets, and a sturdy fabric.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'assault jacket' is a recognised term for the military-style garment. In the US, the more common term is 'field jacket' or 'M-65 field jacket', with 'assault jacket' being less frequent.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries connotations of utility, toughness, and a military aesthetic. In fashion contexts, it is neutral.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse. More common in specialised contexts like military history, vintage clothing, or fashion descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “assault jacket” in a Sentence
wear an assault jacketan assault jacket with (multiple pockets)dressed in an assault jacketVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “assault jacket” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to assault-jacket his outfit for the rustic weekend.
American English
- [Verb use is highly non-standard and rare for this noun compound]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- He favoured an assault-jacket aesthetic.
American English
- The assault-jacket look is popular this season.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail/fashion describing product lines.
Academic
Used in historical or cultural studies discussing military attire or its adoption into civilian fashion.
Everyday
Used when describing a specific style of outerwear. Not a high-frequency term.
Technical
Used in military logistics and uniform specifications; in fashion design for garment classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “assault jacket”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “assault jacket”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “assault jacket”
- Using 'assault jacket' to refer to any bulky winter jacket. Confusing it with a 'bulletproof vest' or 'flak jacket' (which are for protection).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An assault jacket is primarily outerwear for weather and carrying gear. A flak jacket is protective armour designed to stop shell fragments and bullets.
Yes, but it is a specific term. Most people would understand 'military-style jacket' or 'cargo jacket' more readily in casual talk.
'Field jacket' is the most common and neutral synonym in American English, particularly for the classic military design.
No. It belongs to specialist (military, fashion) or informal registers. It is not used in formal writing or speech unless describing the specific garment.
A durable, practical jacket originally designed for military use, typically featuring multiple pockets, a belt, and a rugged construction.
Assault jacket: in British English it is pronounced /əˈsɔːlt ˈdʒækɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈsɔlt ˈdʒækət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a jacket you would wear for an 'assault' course – tough, with lots of pockets for gear.
Conceptual Metaphor
UTILITY IS TOUGHNESS; MILITARY AESTHETIC IS STYLE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of an assault jacket?