ski suit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral; common in sporting, retail, and travel contexts.
Quick answer
What does “ski suit” mean?
A one-piece or two-piece insulated garment designed for warmth and mobility while skiing or engaging in winter sports.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A one-piece or two-piece insulated garment designed for warmth and mobility while skiing or engaging in winter sports.
A functional, often fashion-conscious, outfit specifically engineered for cold-weather athletic activities, typically featuring water-resistant materials, insulation, and ergonomic design.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Ski suit' is standard in both. Occasionally, in US retail, you might see 'ski outfit' or simply 'ski wear' as broader terms.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes practicality and sport-specific design. UK usage may slightly more often associate it with package holidays to the Alps.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “ski suit” in a Sentence
VERB + ski suit: wear, put on, take off, rent, buy, zip upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ski suit” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I need to dig out my ski suit before our trip to Chamonix.
- Her neon pink ski suit made her easy to spot on the piste.
- Most resorts offer ski suit rental if you don't own one.
American English
- He bought a new ski suit for the vacation in Aspen.
- The rental shop had a limited selection of ski suits in large sizes.
- Her ski suit has built-in vents for temperature regulation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, marketing, and sports equipment manufacturing.
Academic
Rare; might appear in sports science texts discussing thermoregulation or equipment design.
Everyday
Common when discussing holiday plans, winter weather, or sports.
Technical
Used in textile and outdoor gear industries focusing on materials like Gore-Tex, insulation types, and ergonomic patterning.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ski suit”
- Confusing 'ski suit' with regular winter clothing like a 'jacket and trousers'. A ski suit implies a dedicated, technical garment.
- Using 'ski suit' to refer to clothing for cross-country skiing (usually called 'ski touring clothing' or 'langlauf clothing').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be one-piece (often called a 'snowsuit') or a coordinated two-piece jacket and salopettes/bib trousers set. Both are commonly referred to as ski suits.
While designed for skiing, you can wear it for any cold-weather outdoor activity like snowboarding, sledging, or winter hiking. It is not ideal for high-energy activities as it may cause overheating.
They are often synonymous, especially for one-piece garments. 'Snowsuit' can be slightly broader, sometimes including children's heavy winter play suits, while 'ski suit' explicitly references the sporting context and technical features.
Yes, wearing a moisture-wicking thermal base layer underneath is highly recommended. Cotton should be avoided as it retains sweat and can make you cold.
A one-piece or two-piece insulated garment designed for warmth and mobility while skiing or engaging in winter sports.
Ski suit is usually informal to neutral; common in sporting, retail, and travel contexts. in register.
Ski suit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskiː ˌsuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈski ˌsuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SUIT you wear specifically for the SKI slopes. It's not for the office, it's for the snow.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARMOUR AGAINST THE COLD (functional, protective, enclosing).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a ski suit?