field jacket
B2Neutral to informal; technical in military/historical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A sturdy, practical jacket originally designed for military use in outdoor or combat conditions, typically made of durable cotton (like sateen or poplin) and featuring multiple pockets.
A style of jacket, often olive drab or khaki in colour, inspired by military designs, now worn as casual or fashion outerwear. It retains functional features like epaulettes, a waist cinch, and patch pockets.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun where 'field' specifies the context of use (outdoor, operational) and 'jacket' the garment type. It evokes functionality, utility, and a military heritage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The specific model names (e.g., M-65 in the US, 'Smock' for similar UK items) may be referenced more locally.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes practicality and a military or rugged outdoor aesthetic. In the UK, it may be more immediately associated with vintage or army surplus styles.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prominence of the US M-65 model in global fashion. The term is understood and used in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + wore + a field jacket + [prepositional phrase: to the event/in the field].[Determiner] + field jacket + [verb: has/features] + [features: multiple pockets/a hood].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'field jacket'.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in fashion retail describing a product category.
Academic
Used in historical, military, or fashion studies contexts to describe a garment type.
Everyday
Common when discussing casual clothing, outdoor gear, or vintage fashion.
Technical
Used in military logistics, uniform specifications, and textile/apparel design.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. Can be used attributively in compounds like 'field-jacket style'.]
American English
- [Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. Can be used attributively in compounds like 'field-jacket design'.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a green field jacket.
- I wear my field jacket when it is cold.
- She bought a vintage field jacket from the army surplus store.
- This field jacket has four large pockets.
- The classic M-65 field jacket was designed for soldiers in Vietnam.
- You can dress up casual trousers by pairing them with a smart field jacket.
- The designer's collection reimagined the utilitarian field jacket in luxurious technical fabrics.
- His field jacket, frayed at the cuffs, bore testament to decades of faithful service.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a JACKET you wear in a FIELD during military exercises – a FIELD JACKET.
Conceptual Metaphor
UTILITY IS FUNCTIONALITY (The jacket embodies practical design for non-decorative purposes.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'полевая куртка' which is understood but sounds like a literal translation. The more natural equivalent is 'военная куртка' (military jacket) or 'куртка в стиле милитари'.
- Do not confuse with 'ветровка' (windbreaker) which is lighter and less structured.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'feild jacket'.
- Using it to refer to any casual jacket, losing the specific military/utility connotation.
- Pronouncing 'field' with a short /ɪ/ sound (/fɪld/) instead of the long /iː/ (/fiːld/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of a traditional field jacket?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both have military origins, a bomber jacket (or flight jacket) is typically shorter, often made of leather or nylon, and was designed for pilots. A field jacket is longer, usually cotton-based, and designed for ground troops.
Absolutely. The field jacket is a unisex garment. Many brands offer versions tailored for women, and vintage or standard models are widely worn by all genders as a fashion item.
The US M-1965 Field Jacket, commonly called the M-65, is arguably the most iconic. It was introduced during the Vietnam War and later became a staple of civilian fashion.
Traditionally, it should allow for layering over a sweater or uniform. In a fashion context, it can be worn fitted or slightly oversized, but it should not be so baggy that it loses its utilitarian silhouette.