sweater
HighNeutral (used in all registers)
Definition
Meaning
A knitted garment, typically of wool or cotton, worn on the upper body to provide warmth.
A person or thing that causes sweat (outdated usage).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a pullover garment, not one that opens fully at the front (that is more specifically a 'cardigan' or 'jumper'). While often made of wool, modern materials like cotton, acrylic, and cashmere are common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'jumper' is the more common, everyday synonym for a pullover. 'Sweater' is understood but sounds slightly more American or is used for specific types (e.g., 'Christmas sweater'). In American English, 'sweater' is the default, all-encompassing term.
Connotations
In the UK, 'sweater' can sound casual or sporty; 'jumper' is neutral. In the US, 'sweater' is neutral.
Frequency
"Sweater" is vastly more frequent in AmE. "Jumper" is vastly more frequent in BrE for the garment.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[wear + sweater][put on + sweater][take off + sweater][be dressed in + sweater]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sweater weather (informal: cool autumn weather ideal for sweaters)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in fashion retail (e.g., 'The new line of sweaters is selling well').
Academic
Rare, except in material culture or fashion studies.
Everyday
Extremely common, especially in discussions of weather, clothing, and casual dress.
Technical
Used in textile and fashion design specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare/archaic) The hard climb really sweattered the hikers.
American English
- (Rare/archaic) This workout is designed to sweater you.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's cold today, so I will wear my warm sweater.
- I like your red sweater.
- She knitted him a thick, woollen sweater for his birthday.
- You should put on a sweater; it's freezing outside.
- The dress code specifies smart casual, so a collared shirt with a fine-knit sweater would be appropriate.
- His garish Christmas sweater was a talking point at the party.
- The designer's collection featured oversized cashmere sweaters paired with tailored leather trousers, creating a juxtaposition of relaxed and sharp silhouettes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWEATer: Think of something you wear when it's cool enough that you won't SWEAT heavily, but you need a layer for warmth.
Conceptual Metaphor
WARMTH IS A GARMENT (The sweater embodies/contains warmth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'sweter' – use correct spelling. Beware of false friend 'свитер' which is correct but pronunciation differs. In BrE contexts, 'jumper' is the more natural equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sweater' for a cardigan (open-front garment) without specification. Confusing 'sweatshirt' (fleecy, casual) with 'sweater' (knitted).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English for a knitted, long-sleeved pullover?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A sweater is typically knitted (e.g., from wool, cotton) and can be fine or chunky. A sweatshirt is usually made from jersey fleece fabric (often cotton/polyester blend), has a more casual, sporty look, and may include a hood (hoodie).
Rarely, and with a different meaning. In AmE, a 'jumper' is a type of sleeveless dress worn over a blouse or a pinafore dress, not a sweater.
In broad, general American usage, yes, it's a type of sweater. More precisely, it is a 'cardigan sweater'. In British English, a cardigan is distinct from a jumper/sweater due to its open front.
In AmE, it's a sleeveless sweater, often V-necked, worn over a shirt. In BrE, this is typically called a 'tank top' or 'sleeveless jumper' (though 'tank top' can also mean a sleeveless undershirt).
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