snowsuit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
low-mediumneutral, informal
Quick answer
What does “snowsuit” mean?
A warm, padded, and often waterproof one-piece or two-piece garment, typically for a child, designed to be worn in very cold or snowy weather.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A warm, padded, and often waterproof one-piece or two-piece garment, typically for a child, designed to be worn in very cold or snowy weather.
Can refer to any insulated, protective outer garment for extreme cold weather activities, including those for adults, or for specific purposes such as winter sports or arctic exploration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both varieties. In the UK, similar garments for infants are sometimes called 'all-in-ones' or 'puddle suits' (if waterproof). 'Snowsuit' is more consistently used in North America for winter-specific garments.
Connotations
Same core connotation of practicality and warmth for cold weather.
Frequency
More common in American and Canadian English due to generally harsher, snowier winters in many regions.
Grammar
How to Use “snowsuit” in a Sentence
a snowsuit for [someone]a snowsuit made of [material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in contexts of manufacturing, retail, or marketing of children's or outdoor clothing.
Academic
Very rare; might appear in studies of material science (insulation), child development, or cultural studies of winter practices.
Everyday
Common in conversations about preparing children for winter, shopping for seasonal clothing, or discussing cold weather activities.
Technical
Used in the outdoor apparel industry to denote a specific category of insulated, protective outerwear.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “snowsuit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “snowsuit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snowsuit”
- Using 'snowsuit' to refer to any heavy winter jacket (it typically implies a full-body garment).
- Confusing 'snowsuit' with 'snowmobile suit' (which is more specialised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While most commonly associated with children, snowsuits are also manufactured for adults, particularly for extreme cold-weather activities like skiing, snowmobiling, or arctic work.
A snowsuit typically covers the entire torso and legs (like overalls or a one-piece), offering more complete protection. A winter coat only covers the upper body.
Yes, many snowsuits are suitable for casual skiing or sledding. However, dedicated ski suits may have more specialised features like aerodynamic cuts or integrated ski pass holders.
It should allow for a layer of warm clothing underneath and some room for movement, but not be so baggy that it compromises warmth or becomes a tripping hazard. Consider growth by allowing a little extra room in the sleeves and legs.
A warm, padded, and often waterproof one-piece or two-piece garment, typically for a child, designed to be worn in very cold or snowy weather.
Snowsuit is usually neutral, informal in register.
Snowsuit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnəʊsuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnoʊˌsut/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small child in a bulky, brightly coloured SUIT built for playing in the SNOW — a SNOWSUIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SUIT (The garment is conceptualised as a protective layer or shield against the cold).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a typical snowsuit?