housecoat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumInformal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “housecoat” mean?
A loose, informal robe or dressing gown, typically worn at home.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loose, informal robe or dressing gown, typically worn at home.
A garment for casual indoor wear, often made of comfortable fabric like cotton or terry cloth, used before dressing or for lounging. Historically, it could refer to a simple coat worn by servants or for housework.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is considered somewhat old-fashioned. In modern UK English, 'dressing gown' is more prevalent. In US English, 'robe' is the dominant term, with 'housecoat' carrying a specific, slightly antiquated domestic connotation.
Connotations
UK: May evoke a traditional, possibly floral-patterned garment. US: Often associated with 1950s/60s suburban homemakers; can have a slightly frumpy or retro image.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary speech and writing. Most commonly encountered in historical novels, period dramas, or when used by older generations.
Grammar
How to Use “housecoat” in a Sentence
She wore a [ADJ] housecoat.He came downstairs in his housecoat.She tied the belt of her housecoat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
May appear in historical, cultural, or fashion studies contexts discussing domestic life or 20th-century clothing.
Everyday
Rare. An older relative might use it. 'Robe' or 'dressing gown' are more common.
Technical
Used in historical costume cataloguing or vintage clothing descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “housecoat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “housecoat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housecoat”
- Using 'housecoat' to refer to a light jacket worn outdoors.
- Using it interchangeably with modern 'hoodie' or 'cardigan'.
- Spelling as two words: 'house coat' (this is an older, less common variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but a bathrobe strongly implies use after bathing and is often made of absorbent terry cloth. A housecoat is a broader term for any informal at-home robe, which might be made of lighter fabric like cotton.
The term is historically and primarily associated with women's wear. Men would wear a 'dressing gown' or 'robe'.
Fashion and language have evolved. 'Robe' and 'dressing gown' are more generic terms. 'Housecoat' carries specific, somewhat dated cultural connotations of 1950s/60s homemaking.
No, by definition it is informal indoor wear. Wearing it outside would be considered highly unusual and inappropriate in most social contexts.
A loose, informal robe or dressing gown, typically worn at home.
Housecoat is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
Housecoat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊskəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊskoʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable. The word itself is not typically used in idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a coat you only wear inside the HOUSE. HOUSE + COAT = HOUSECOAT.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS INFORMALITY / PRIVACY IS A LOOSE GARMENT
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate modern synonym for 'housecoat' in a general context?