sports jacket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “sports jacket” mean?
A casual, single-breasted jacket, often made from tweed or similar fabric, worn as part of a non-matching suit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A casual, single-breasted jacket, often made from tweed or similar fabric, worn as part of a non-matching suit.
A man's tailored jacket for informal or semi-formal wear, typically with notch lapels, patch pockets, and often of a patterned fabric like tweed, herringbone, or checks. It is worn with trousers of a contrasting colour or pattern.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'sports jacket' is the standard term. In American English, 'sport coat' or 'sports coat' are equally common, with 'sports jacket' also being understood.
Connotations
The term can carry a slightly traditional or classic connotation in both varieties. In the UK, it may evoke images of country or academic wear. In the US, it may be associated with business casual or less formal office environments.
Frequency
More frequent in British English than American, where 'sport coat' is the dominant form.
Grammar
How to Use “sports jacket” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a [Adjective] sports jacket.[Subject] paired his sports jacket with [Noun Phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sports jacket” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to sports-jacket it for the party.
- I'm going to sports jacket and jeans.
American English
- He sport-coated it for the event.
- You can just sport coat and slacks.
adjective
British English
- He has a very sports-jacket look about him.
- It was a sports-jacket kind of meeting.
American English
- He has a sport-coat vibe.
- It was a sport-coat optional event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Acceptable as business casual attire, often worn without a tie.
Academic
Common in university settings, especially among faculty in humanities.
Everyday
A standard item for semi-formal social events, dinners, or smart casual outings.
Technical
Used in tailoring and menswear contexts to denote a specific jacket construction and purpose.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sports jacket”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sports jacket”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sports jacket”
- Using 'sports jacket' to refer to a windbreaker or athletic top.
- Confusing it with a matching suit jacket.
- Spelling as 'sport's jacket'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are similar but distinct. A sports jacket is typically made from patterned, textured fabric like tweed. A blazer is more often a solid colour, sometimes with metal buttons, and can be more formal.
Yes, a sports jacket with dark, well-fitting jeans is a classic casual smart look.
A suit jacket is part of a matching set with trousers made from the same fabric. A sports jacket is meant to be worn with trousers of a different colour, pattern, or fabric.
For a classic look, a plain Oxford cloth button-down shirt or a simple checked shirt works well. A tie is optional; if worn, a knit tie or a woollen tie complements the jacket's texture.
A casual, single-breasted jacket, often made from tweed or similar fabric, worn as part of a non-matching suit.
Sports jacket is usually neutral in register.
Sports jacket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɔːts ˌdʒæk.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɔːrts ˌdʒæk.ɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dress-down Friday staple”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SPORTS JACKET: Separate Patterned OR Tweed Suit Jacket - For Everyday Casual/Tailored wear.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS SOCIAL SIGNAL (signals relaxed formality, classic style, intellectual or traditional leanings).
Practice
Quiz
In American English, which term is most commonly used interchangeably with 'sports jacket'?