shoulder pad: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to Informal. Formal in fashion/design contexts.
Quick answer
What does “shoulder pad” mean?
A padded insert for the shoulder area of a garment, particularly to create a wider, more structured silhouette.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A padded insert for the shoulder area of a garment, particularly to create a wider, more structured silhouette.
A term often used metonymically to refer to the exaggerated, power-associated fashion of the 1980s, or to describe any structured padding in sportswear and protective gear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The item and term are identical.
Connotations
Strongly associated with 1980s power dressing in both cultures. In the UK, may also have stronger connotations to rugby or other sports gear.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater cultural discourse around 80s fashion revivals.
Grammar
How to Use “shoulder pad” in a Sentence
[garment] with shoulder padsshoulder pads in [garment]to pad the shouldersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoulder pad” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tailor will shoulder-pad the blazer for a more dramatic look.
- She decided to shoulder-pad her old coat.
American English
- The designer shoulder-padded all the suits in the fall collection.
- We can shoulder-pad that jacket if you want.
adjective
British English
- It was a very shoulder-padded silhouette.
- The shoulder-pad trend is returning.
American English
- She wore a strong, shoulder-padded blazer.
- The look is overly shoulder-padded for my taste.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In discussions of professional dress codes, historical references to 'power dressing'.
Academic
In cultural studies, fashion history, and sociology papers analyzing gender and clothing.
Everyday
Discussing vintage clothing, describing a jacket's fit, or talking about sports gear.
Technical
In pattern-making, tailoring instructions, or sportswear design specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shoulder pad”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shoulder pad”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoulder pad”
- Misspelling as 'shoulder pat'.
- Using singular 'pad' when referring to the pair.
- Confusing with 'elbow pad'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While famously big in 1980s womenswear, shoulder pads are also standard in men's tailored suits, American football uniforms, and other protective gear.
Usually yes. They are often sewn into a lining or a pocket inside the shoulder and can be cut out, though it may slightly alter the garment's hang.
A shoulder pad is for structure and shape, hidden inside the garment. An epaulette is a decorative strip of cloth on the outside of the shoulder, often on military or utilitarian styles.
Yes, but more subtly. Modern 'soft' shoulder pads provide gentle structure without the extreme, angular look of the 1980s.
A padded insert for the shoulder area of a garment, particularly to create a wider, more structured silhouette.
Shoulder pad is usually neutral to informal. formal in fashion/design contexts. in register.
Shoulder pad: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊldə ˌpæd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊldər ˌpæd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders (related conceptually, not directly).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football player SHOULDERing PADded opponents. The pads make their shoulders huge.
Conceptual Metaphor
BROAD SHOULDERS ARE POWER / AUTHORITY. Shoulder pads artificially create this physical metaphor.
Practice
Quiz
In which decade were shoulder pads most emblematic of women's fashion?