cummerbund: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “cummerbund” mean?
A wide sash worn around the waist, typically over a man's dinner jacket or tuxedo.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wide sash worn around the waist, typically over a man's dinner jacket or tuxedo.
A broad waistband, often pleated, worn as part of formal evening wear for men, historically derived from a Persian/Indian garment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The item is part of the same formal dress code in both cultures.
Connotations
Connotes black-tie or white-tie formal events, elegance, and traditional dress codes.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used only in specific formal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cummerbund” in a Sentence
wear + [cummerbund]fasten + [cummerbund][cummerbund] + matches + [bow tie/shirt]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like event planning or formal wear retail.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical or cultural studies of dress.
Everyday
Very rare, used only when discussing specific formal attire.
Technical
Used in tailoring, fashion design, and formal wear hire.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cummerbund”
- Spelling: 'cumberbund', 'cummerband'. Using it to refer to any belt or waist accessory.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, it is part of formal black-tie attire. Modern interpretations sometimes omit it, preferring a waistcoat or simply the trousers.
The pleats should face upwards. This originates from the garment's history as a napkin holder.
While historically a male garment, women's formal and fashion wear sometimes incorporates cummerbund-style sashes or belts.
It originates from the Persian 'kamarband' (waist-band), adopted by British military officers in colonial India and incorporated into Western formal wear.
A wide sash worn around the waist, typically over a man's dinner jacket or tuxedo.
Cummerbund is usually formal in register.
Cummerbund: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌməbʌnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmərˌbʌnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Come, her band' – a band (sash) she comes to see you wear at a formal event.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMALITY IS A CONSTRICTED WAIST (the cummerbund defines and formalises the torso).
Practice
Quiz
A cummerbund is most commonly worn with: