tennis bracelet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Fashion/Jewelry
Quick answer
What does “tennis bracelet” mean?
A flexible, thin bracelet, typically made of precious metal and set with a continuous line of small, identical gemstones (usually diamonds).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flexible, thin bracelet, typically made of precious metal and set with a continuous line of small, identical gemstones (usually diamonds).
A style of jewelry that has become a classic, elegant accessory, often worn for formal occasions or as a statement piece. The name originates from an incident involving professional tennis player Chris Evert in 1987, whose diamond bracelet broke during a match.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of luxury, elegance, and high value.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined primarily to jewelry/fashion contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tennis bracelet” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wear + [Determiner] + tennis bracelet[Determiner] + tennis bracelet + [Verb] + [Complement]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tennis bracelet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to tennis-bracelet her entire outfit, adding a sparkle to her wrist.
- He tennis-braceleted his look for the gala.
American English
- She tennis-braceleted her outfit for the red carpet.
- He's planning to tennis-bracelet his attire for the wedding.
adverb
British English
- The diamonds were set tennis-bracelet-style around her wrist.
- She accessorised tennis-bracelet-elegantly.
American English
- The gems sparkled tennis-bracelet-bright under the lights.
- She dressed tennis-bracelet-smart for the event.
adjective
British English
- She preferred a tennis-bracelet style over a bangle.
- The display featured tennis-bracelet designs.
American English
- She admired the tennis-bracelet look for its elegance.
- The jeweler specializes in tennis-bracelet creations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, marketing, and luxury goods sectors to describe a specific product category.
Academic
Rarely used; might appear in material culture, fashion history, or semiotics studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing jewelry, gifts, or fashion accessories, typically in contexts involving luxury items.
Technical
Used in gemology and jewelry design to specify a construction style: a flexible, gem-set link bracelet.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tennis bracelet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tennis bracelet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tennis bracelet”
- Using 'tennis bracelet' to refer to any sports-themed bracelet or a wristband for tennis.
- Assuming it is an informal or casual accessory due to the word 'tennis'.
- Misspelling as 'tenis bracelet'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is named after professional tennis player Chris Evert, who in 1987 stopped a match to search for her lost diamond bracelet, bringing widespread attention to the style.
No, while the classic and most famous version uses diamonds, tennis bracelets can be set with any gemstone (e.g., sapphires, rubies) or even cubic zirconia.
They are similar. An eternity bracelet typically has stones set fully around the circumference, while a tennis bracelet may have a clasp and a section without stones. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Primarily marketed towards women, the style is unisex. Designs with larger links or darker stones are sometimes worn by men.
A flexible, thin bracelet, typically made of precious metal and set with a continuous line of small, identical gemstones (usually diamonds).
Tennis bracelet is usually formal, fashion/jewelry in register.
Tennis bracelet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈten.ɪs ˌbreɪs.lət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈten.ɪs ˌbreɪs.lət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tennis player stopping a match to find a lost bracelet – that's how this elegant jewelry got its sporty name.
Conceptual Metaphor
LUXURY IS SPORT (via a specific celebrity event).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of a tennis bracelet?