maillot
C1/C2Formal; Fashion/Sports Technical
Definition
Meaning
A tight-fitting one-piece garment, particularly a swimsuit.
A tight one-piece garment for women, typically for swimming, ballet, or gymnastics. Can also refer historically or in specialized contexts to a type of jersey or sweater in cycling.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In English, the primary meaning is a one-piece swimsuit. It's a loanword from French, often carrying connotations of style or athletic function. The cycling sense is very rare in modern general English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use it, but it is more frequent in British English as a term for a swimsuit. In American English, 'one-piece (swimsuit)' or simply 'swimsuit' is more common in everyday speech.
Connotations
In both, it implies a more fitted, often sporty or performance-oriented garment than a casual swimsuit. In fashion contexts, it suggests a designer or classic style.
Frequency
More commonly encountered in UK fashion writing and catalogues. In the US, it is a higher-register term, often found in high-fashion or vintage contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She wore a [adjective] maillot.The dancer's maillot was [adjective].a maillot for [purpose/activity]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail/fashion industry descriptions.
Academic
Rare, might appear in historical or cultural studies of fashion.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; 'swimsuit' is preferred.
Technical
Standard term in dancewear (ballet maillot) and competitive swimming.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She bought a new maillot for her holiday.
- The dancer wore a black maillot.
- The vintage maillot she found had a beautiful geometric pattern.
- For her advanced swimming class, she prefers a racing maillot to a bikini.
- The designer's collection featured elegant maillots inspired by 1950s silhouettes.
- In ballet, a simple maillot and tights form the basis of a dancer's practice uniform.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'mail' in 'maillot' as chainmail – it's a tight, fitted 'suit' for the body, but for swimming or dancing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SECOND SKIN (for performance or elegance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'майка' (vest/tank top). 'Maillot' is not casual underwear.
- Do not confuse with 'купальник' which is a direct equivalent; 'maillot' is a specific, often more formal type of купальник.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it like 'mail-lot'. The 't' is silent.
- Using it to refer to any top or t-shirt.
- Spelling: 'maylot', 'mailot'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'maillot' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, but it specifically denotes a one-piece, often sleek or performance-oriented style. It's also the standard term for a dancer's tight bodysuit.
In British English: MY-oh. In American English: my-YOH. The 't' is silent in both.
Traditionally, 'maillot' refers to women's one-piece swimwear or dancewear. For men's tight-fitting swimwear, terms like 'brief', 'speedo', or 'swim brief' are used.
They are similar. 'Maillot' is the term more common in ballet for the basic tight bodysuit, often with thin straps. 'Leotard' is a broader term used in dance and gymnastics, can have varying sleeve lengths and styles. In swimming, only 'maillot' is used.