catsuit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, fashion/performance contexts
Quick answer
What does “catsuit” mean?
A close-fitting one-piece garment covering the torso and legs, often with long sleeves and sometimes a hood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A close-fitting one-piece garment covering the torso and legs, often with long sleeves and sometimes a hood.
A sleek, form-fitting garment typically made of stretchy material like spandex or leather, worn for fashion, performance (e.g., dance, acrobatics), or as functional wear (e.g., motorcycle gear, superhero costumes).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, often associated with fashion, performance wear, superhero/villain costumes, or provocative clothing.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing mainly in specific contexts like fashion journalism, costume design, or descriptions of clothing.
Grammar
How to Use “catsuit” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a [Adjective] catsuit.The [Noun] featured a sleek catsuit.She stepped out in a [Material] catsuit.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in fashion retail or manufacturing contexts.
Academic
Very rare. Possibly in cultural studies discussing fashion or costume design.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used when describing specific clothing seen in media or at events.
Technical
Used in fashion design, costume design, and performance wear industries.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catsuit”
- Using 'catsuit' to refer to any one-piece garment (e.g., a loose jumpsuit or a swimsuit).
- Misspelling as 'cat suit' (two words); the standard is one word.
- Assuming it has a hood or specific features; it's defined by its tight, one-piece nature covering torso and legs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A leotard typically covers the torso but not the legs (like a one-piece swimsuit or ballet top), while a catsuit covers both the torso and the legs.
Yes. While often associated with women's fashion, catsuits are also worn by men, particularly in performance contexts (e.g., dancers, acrobats, superhero costumes like Spider-Man) or as functional motorcycle gear.
Common materials include spandex (Lycra), latex, leather, velvet, and cotton blends, chosen for stretch, look, or specific function (e.g., protection, shine).
No, it is an informal term used in specific contexts like fashion, entertainment, and sport. More formal or technical equivalents might be 'unitard' (for dance/gymnastics) or 'one-piece garment'.
A close-fitting one-piece garment covering the torso and legs, often with long sleeves and sometimes a hood.
Catsuit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæt.suːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæt.suːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dressed to kill in a catsuit”
- “Slipped into something less comfortable (humorous, referring to a tight catsuit)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sleek CAT wearing a SUIT that fits its whole body. A catsuit is a one-piece garment that fits the human body closely, like a second skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A SECOND SKIN / THE BODY IS AN ANIMAL (feline).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'catsuit' LEAST likely to be used?