swimming costume
MediumInformal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A garment worn for swimming, typically one-piece for women and girls.
A garment designed for swimming or bathing, often with specific features for water activities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily British English; refers specifically to swimwear, not general clothing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'swimming costume' is common; in American English, 'swimsuit' or 'bathing suit' is standard.
Connotations
British term sounds slightly formal or old-fashioned to American ears; American terms are more generic.
Frequency
High frequency in UK, low in US; 'swimsuit' dominates in American media and retail.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
wear a swimming costumeput on a swimming costumebuy a swimming costumeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used in retail contexts for product descriptions.
Academic
Very rare; not a technical term.
Everyday
Common in UK conversations about beach/pool activities.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She bought a new swimming costume for her holiday.
- Don't forget your swimming costume for the pool.
- Her swimming costume had a floral pattern and matched her beach towel.
- He packed his trunks, and she packed her swimming costume.
- The vintage swimming costume she found at the charity shop was surprisingly stylish.
- After trying on several options, she settled on a practical swimming costume for lap swimming.
- The designer's latest collection featured innovative swimming costumes with sustainable materials.
- Her one-piece swimming costume, though modest in cut, was engineered for competitive performance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'costume' for a specific activity, like a swimming 'uniform'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A TOOL FOR ACTIVITY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'плавательный костюм' which sounds odd; use 'купальник' instead.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swimming costume' in American contexts where 'swimsuit' is expected.
- Confusing with 'swim trunks' (for men).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in the United States?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It typically refers to one-piece or two-piece garments for women/girls. For men/boys, 'swim trunks' or 'swimming shorts' are used.
You might be understood, but it will mark you as a non-native or British speaker. 'Swimsuit' or 'bathing suit' is preferred.
A 'bikini' is a specific type of two-piece swimming costume. 'Swimming costume' is the general category.
In the UK, it remains common, though 'swimsuit' is also used. It is not outdated but is regionally specific.