morning coat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “morning coat” mean?
A formal man's coat with a cutaway front, forming tails at the back, worn as part of morning dress for formal daytime events.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal man's coat with a cutaway front, forming tails at the back, worn as part of morning dress for formal daytime events.
A specific item of formalwear, typically made of grey or black wool, and worn with striped trousers, waistcoat, and tie. The coat itself is defined by its single-breasted front, sloped and cut away towards the waist in the front, leaving long tails at the back.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it's the standard term. In the US, it's also standard, but less commonly needed due to differing formal wear conventions. The synonymous term 'cutaway' is also used in American tailoring contexts.
Connotations
In both regions, connotes high formality, tradition, aristocratic/upper-class events (royal weddings, formal daytime ceremonies). In the US, may have stronger connotations of being 'British' or 'very traditional European'.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to the continued prevalence of morning dress for certain formal occasions (e.g., royal events, society weddings, certain legal or academic ceremonies). In US English, it's a low-frequency, specialized term.
Grammar
How to Use “morning coat” in a Sentence
[Verb] a morning coat: wear, don, hire, rent, tailor, fit[Adjective] morning coat: grey, black, formal, tailoredmorning coat [Prepositional Phrase]: for the wedding, with striped trousers, at AscotVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “morning coat” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He looked every inch the morning-coated gentleman.
American English
- The morning-coat attire is required for the diplomatic reception.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in high-end menswear retail, tailoring, or event planning contexts.
Academic
Appears in historical, sociological, or fashion studies texts discussing formal attire and social customs.
Everyday
Very rare. Only used when discussing specific, high-formality events one is attending or reporting on.
Technical
Standard term in tailoring, formalwear hire, etiquette guides, and descriptions of traditional Western dress codes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “morning coat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “morning coat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “morning coat”
- Using 'morning coat' to refer to any coat worn in the morning.
- Confusing it with an 'evening tailcoat' (which has a different cut and is for evening events).
- Pronouncing 'coat' with a short /ɒ/ instead of the diphthong /əʊ/ or /oʊ/.
- Treating it as a mass noun (e.g., 'wearing morning coat' instead of 'a morning coat').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A morning coat is a type of tailcoat specifically for daytime formalwear (morning dress). The term 'tailcoat' is broader and includes evening variants like the dress coat ('white tie' tailcoat).
For formal daytime events, typically before 6 p.m., where the dress code is specified as 'Morning Dress' or 'Formal Day Wear'. This includes society weddings, royal events, some formal ceremonies, and high-profile daytime races like Royal Ascot.
The most traditional and formal colour is grey (often a mid to dark grey, sometimes called 'Oxford grey'). Black is also acceptable and common, especially for more sombre or official daytime events.
Unless you attend multiple formal daytime events regularly, hiring is the standard and practical choice. High-end formalwear hire shops specialize in morning dress. Buying is an option for those who need bespoke tailoring for frequent use.
A formal man's coat with a cutaway front, forming tails at the back, worn as part of morning dress for formal daytime events.
Morning coat is usually formal in register.
Morning coat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɔː.nɪŋ ˌkəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːr.nɪŋ ˌkoʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a coat you wear in the MORNING for a VERY formal event. It's cut away in the front, so it 'morns' (mourns) the loss of its front fabric, leaving only tails behind.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMALITY IS HEIGHT / TRADITION IS A GARMENT. The morning coat is a 'high' level of dress code, and wearing it is 'clothing oneself in tradition'.
Practice
Quiz
At which of the following events is a morning coat most appropriately worn?