cami
C1/C2 (Low-frequency outside fashion/lingerie contexts)Informal, fashion/lingerie-specific.
Definition
Meaning
A woman's short, sleeveless undergarment for the top half of the body, typically worn under sheer clothing; a camisole.
A casual, lightweight top, often made of delicate fabric like silk or satin, that can be worn as sleepwear, loungewear, or as a layering piece under jackets or sheer blouses.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a clipping of 'camisole'. It specifically refers to a women's garment. In some fashion contexts, it may refer to a 'camisole top' designed to be worn as outerwear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties, but 'camisole' is the more common full form. 'Vest' (UK) or 'tank top' (US) are more common terms for similar casual undergarments, but 'cami' implies a more delicate, often lacy, feminine garment.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes femininity, lingerie, and lightweight fabric. It is more likely to be used in marketing or fashion contexts than in everyday conversation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects. More likely to be used in written form in catalogues or online shopping.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to wear] + a + (adj.) + cami + [under/beneath] + np[to pair] + a cami + [with] + npVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail, fashion merchandising, and e-commerce product descriptions.
Academic
Rare. May appear in cultural studies or fashion history texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, fashion, or shopping for underwear/loungewear.
Technical
Used in fashion design and textile industries to specify a garment type.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a white cami.
- I bought a new lace cami to wear under my blouse.
- This sheer blouse requires a cami underneath for modesty.
- She layered a silk cami beneath her blazer for a smart yet relaxed look.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CAMI is a CUTER, shorter version of CAMIsole.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A LAYER (e.g., 'layer a cami underneath').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ками' (kami) which is unrelated and could refer to 'камин' (fireplace) in speech.
- The direct translation 'камизолька' exists but is very rare; 'топ' or 'майка' are more common but not exact equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cami' to refer to a man's undershirt (incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'camy', 'cammy', or 'kamy'.
- Pronouncing it /ˈkɑːmi/ or /ˈkeɪmi/ (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'cami'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and specific to fashion or lingerie contexts. The full word 'camisole' is slightly more formal.
Traditionally, 'cami' refers to a women's garment. A similar garment for men would typically be called a vest (UK) or tank top/undershirt (US).
A cami is typically made from finer, more delicate fabrics (silk, satin, lace) and is often cut in a more feminine style. A tank top is usually a casual, everyday garment made of cotton or jersey.
It is pronounced /ˈkæmi/ (KAM-ee), rhyming with 'jammy'.