speedo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “speedo” mean?
A brand name for a type of tight-fitting swimsuit, typically briefs worn by male swimmers and athletes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brand name for a type of tight-fitting swimsuit, typically briefs worn by male swimmers and athletes.
Informal term for a speedometer in a vehicle; also used colloquially to refer to any tight, brief swimwear, regardless of brand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both regions use 'speedo' for the swimwear. The automotive slang ('speedo' for speedometer) is slightly more common in UK/Australian English than in US English, where 'speedometer' is more standard.
Connotations
The swimwear sense often carries connotations of competitive swimming, fitness, or, in casual reference, minimal beachwear. Can be humorous or slightly embarrassing in non-athletic contexts.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK/AU due to stronger automotive slang use. Swimwear sense is equally recognized.
Grammar
How to Use “speedo” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wear/put on + a/some speedosThe + speedo + shows/reads + [number][Subject] + is/are + in + a speedoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speedo” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He made a classic speedo-wearing blunder.
- The speedo tan line was unmistakable.
American English
- That's a very speedo look for the beach.
- He had a bright red speedo tan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of sportswear retail or manufacturing.
Academic
Rare; might appear in studies of branding, marketing, or sports sociology.
Everyday
Common in conversations about swimming, beaches, holidays, or car dashboards (informally).
Technical
Not technical; brand name in swimming equipment catalogs.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speedo”
- Using 'speedo' as a formal term for speedometer in writing.
- Treating it as a generic countable noun without an article ('He wore speedo' vs. 'He wore a speedo').
- Capitalizing it when used generically (Speedo is the brand, speedo is the common noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It's a registered trademark of Speedo International. However, it's commonly used generically (like 'hoover' for vacuum cleaner), especially in informal speech.
No. 'Speedo' for swimwear specifically refers to tight-fitting briefs for men. The brand makes women's swimsuits, but they are not called 'speedos' in common parlance.
It's informal slang, acceptable in casual conversation (especially in the UK/Australia). In formal or technical writing, always use 'speedometer'.
Both 'speedos' and 'speedo' (as in 'a pair of speedo') are commonly used. 'Speedos' is more frequent.
A brand name for a type of tight-fitting swimsuit, typically briefs worn by male swimmers and athletes.
Speedo is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Speedo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspiːdoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly. The word itself is often used humorously as a metonym for daring or minimal clothing, e.g., 'He had the confidence to rock a speedo.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SPEED' + 'O' – you wear it for SPEED in the water, and it has an 'O' shape for your body.
Conceptual Metaphor
MINIMALISM IS SPEED (the less material, the faster you go).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'speedo' MOST LIKELY to be used informally as a synonym for 'speedometer'?