body warmer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “body warmer” mean?
A sleeveless, quilted or padded jacket, typically worn as an extra layer for warmth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sleeveless, quilted or padded jacket, typically worn as an extra layer for warmth.
A garment designed to insulate the torso, often worn for outdoor activities in cold weather; can also refer to a type of personal heating device.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'body warmer' is common. In American English, 'vest' or 'puffer vest' is preferred for the clothing item.
Connotations
UK: Practical, outdoor wear. US: 'Vest' is standard; 'body warmer' might sound like a technical product.
Frequency
High frequency in UK; low frequency in US for clothing. In US, 'body warmer' is more likely for medical/sports heating pads.
Grammar
How to Use “body warmer” in a Sentence
[wear/put on] a body warmer[zip up/do up] [one's] body warmer[take off/remove] [one's] body warmerVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in retail or outdoor clothing marketing.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in textiles or sports science contexts.
Everyday
Common in UK for discussing casual outdoor clothing.
Technical
Can refer to therapeutic heating devices in sports medicine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body warmer”
- Using 'body warmer' in US English for clothing (use 'vest').
- Spelling as 'bodywarmer' (should be two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is two words: 'body warmer'.
For clothing, it's better to use 'vest' or 'puffer vest'. 'Body warmer' in the US is more likely understood as a heating pad.
They are largely synonymous. 'Gilet' (from French) is often used for a more fashion-oriented or lighter sleeveless jacket, while 'body warmer' emphasises the warming function.
Not necessarily. Some are water-resistant, but many are just insulated. Check the product description.
A sleeveless, quilted or padded jacket, typically worn as an extra layer for warmth.
Body warmer is usually informal, everyday in register.
Body warmer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌwɔːmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌwɔːrmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bundle up in a body warmer”
- “Layer up with a body warmer”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'warms the BODY' -> body warmer.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A SHIELD (against cold)
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what is the most common term for a 'body warmer' (clothing item)?