suiting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical (when referring to fabric); Neutral (when used as a gerund).
Quick answer
What does “suiting” mean?
Fabric specifically designed and woven for making suits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Fabric specifically designed and woven for making suits.
The action or process of being appropriate or fitting for a particular person, purpose, or situation. Also used as a gerund (verb form) from 'to suit'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties for fabric. As a gerund, usage is the same.
Connotations
In business/tailoring contexts, it carries a professional, high-quality connotation for fabric.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech. More common in specific domains like fashion, tailoring, and business English.
Grammar
How to Use “suiting” in a Sentence
N (fabric sense)suiting + [person/purpose] (gerund sense)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suiting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Suiting the punishment to the crime is a fundamental principle of justice.
- Is this new policy really suiting our long-term goals?
American English
- The flexible schedule is suiting her lifestyle perfectly.
- We focused on suiting the product to market demand.
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form]
American English
- [No adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard as a standalone adjective. Used in compounds like 'suiting-material'.]
American English
- [Not standard as a standalone adjective. Used in compounds like 'suiting fabric'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement for corporate uniforms or professional attire.
Academic
Rare; might appear in material science or fashion history texts.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing custom tailoring.
Technical
Standard term in textile manufacturing, fashion design, and bespoke tailoring.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suiting”
- Using 'suiting' to mean 'a suit' (e.g., 'He wore a nice suiting'). Incorrect.
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two suitings'). It is generally uncountable for fabric.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'A suit' is the finished garment. 'Suiting' is the uncountable fabric used to make it.
Typically no. It is generally used as an uncountable mass noun (e.g., 'three metres of suiting').
It is a low-frequency, specialized term. Common in tailoring/fashion contexts but rare in daily conversation.
They come from the same root ('suit'). 'Suiting' (as a gerund) means 'being appropriate for'. 'Suitable' is an adjective meaning 'appropriate'.
Fabric specifically designed and woven for making suits.
Suiting is usually formal / technical (when referring to fabric); neutral (when used as a gerund). in register.
Suiting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːtɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms for the noun 'suiting']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SUIT-ing' is the INGredient/fabric you need to make a SUIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR A PURPOSE (The fabric is metaphorically the 'raw potential' that will be shaped into the formal identity of a suit).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'suiting' as a noun?