outfit car
B1Neutral (common in both informal and formal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A set of clothes worn together, especially for a specific occasion or purpose.
A group of people or organization; also, to provide with the necessary equipment or clothing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, its meaning can slide from a simple set of clothes to a coordinated group or organization, especially in historical or business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'outfit' is strongly associated with clothing. In the US, the organizational meaning (e.g., 'a small publishing outfit') is more common and natural-sounding.
Connotations
UK: Slightly more fashion-focused, possibly formal. US: More versatile, can sound informal when referring to a small business.
Frequency
The clothing sense is common in both. The 'group/organization' sense is moderately frequent in US English, less so in UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + OUTFIT: wear, put on, change, choose, coordinateOUTFIT + VERB: match, fit, suitVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “outfit of the day (OOTD)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Can refer informally to a company or organization (esp. US).
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical or sociological texts referring to a group (e.g., 'a political outfit').
Everyday
Primarily used for a coordinated set of clothes.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The charity was outfitted with new waterproofs for the expedition.
- The army outfitted its soldiers for winter conditions.
American English
- We need to outfit the lab with the latest computers.
- The company outfitted all its sales reps with tablets.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She wore a beautiful red outfit to the party.
- I need to buy a new outfit for my holiday.
- His casual outfit was perfect for the picnic.
- Can you help me choose an outfit for the interview?
- Despite the expensive outfit, she didn't feel confident.
- He joined a small consulting outfit after leaving university.
- The film studio was a ramshackle outfit operating on a shoestring budget.
- They were fully outfitted with state-of-the-art climbing gear.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'fit' in 'outfit' as in clothes that 'fit' you well for going 'out'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A CONTAINER (for style, identity). AN ORGANIZATION IS A UNIFORMED GROUP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'outfitter' (поставщик снаряжения) or 'outfitting' (оснащение). The Russian 'аутфит' is a loanword used in fashion contexts, but the English word is broader.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outfit' to mean a single piece of clothing (e.g., 'I bought a new outfit' – OK; 'I bought a new outfit, a shirt' – incorrect). Confusing 'outfit' (clothes) with 'kit' (equipment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'outfit' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'outfit' can refer to a set of clothes for anyone, regardless of gender.
'Outfit' is for everyday or occasion wear. 'Costume' implies dressing up as someone else, for a performance, or historical period clothing.
Yes, it means to provide someone or something with the necessary equipment or clothing, though it can sound slightly formal (e.g., 'outfit a ship').
No, it's redundant. Just say 'an outfit'. The word already implies a set of clothes.