tracksuit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “tracksuit” mean?
A loose, warm suit consisting of a sweatshirt and trousers/pants, worn especially for exercise or casual wear.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loose, warm suit consisting of a sweatshirt and trousers/pants, worn especially for exercise or casual wear.
A garment set that has become a cultural symbol of casual comfort and athletic leisure, often associated with streetwear and specific subcultures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is the same, but the component terms differ: UK 'tracksuit trousers', US 'sweatpants' or 'track pants'. The full set in the US is sometimes called a 'sweatsuit' or 'track suit' (two words), though 'tracksuit' is common.
Connotations
In the UK, it is strongly associated with casual, often working-class leisurewear (sometimes pejoratively 'shell suit' culture). In the US, the connotation is more neutrally athletic or loungewear.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English; 'sweatsuit' is a common alternative in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “tracksuit” in a Sentence
[Subject] + put on/wore + [a tracksuit][Subject] + was dressed in + [a tracksuit][A tracksuit] + was hanging + [on the door]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tracksuit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was tracksuited and ready for a lazy Sunday.
- The whole team tracksuited up for the journey.
American English
- She tracksuited up for the flight for maximum comfort.
- The fans were all tracksuited in the team's colors.
adjective
British English
- He has a very tracksuit-and-trainers kind of lifestyle.
- The tracksuit culture of the 90s is making a comeback.
American English
- It was a tracksuit Friday at the office, a rare casual day.
- The brand has a strong tracksuit aesthetic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail/fashion contexts (e.g., 'The new tracksuit line sold out').
Academic
Very rare, except in sociological or cultural studies of fashion/sport.
Everyday
Very common, especially in contexts of casual dress, exercise, or lounging.
Technical
Used in textile, fashion design, and sportswear manufacturing industries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tracksuit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tracksuit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tracksuit”
- Spelling: 'tracksute', 'track suit' (though two words is an accepted variant).
- Using 'tracksuit' to mean just the trousers (UK: 'tracksuit bottoms', US: 'sweatpants').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'track suit' is a common variant, especially in American English, but 'tracksuit' as one word is the standard form in modern dictionaries.
Yes, informally, especially in UK English (e.g., 'to be tracksuited' means to be wearing a tracksuit). It's more common in spoken or journalistic language.
They are largely synonymous. 'Tracksuit' is more common in the UK and implies a slightly more athletic cut. 'Sweatsuit' is the typical US term, emphasizing the sweat-absorbing material. In practice, they are used interchangeably.
Generally, no, unless you work in a sport-related field or your workplace has a very casual dress code (e.g., 'casual Friday'). It is primarily considered leisure or athletic wear.
A loose, warm suit consisting of a sweatshirt and trousers/pants, worn especially for exercise or casual wear.
Tracksuit is usually informal, neutral in register.
Tracksuit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtræksuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtræksuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tracksuit millionaire (informal, UK: someone wealthy but dressing casually)”
- “All mouth and no tracksuit (UK variant of 'all mouth and no trousers')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a suit you wear on a running TRACK. TRACK + SUIT = TRACKSUIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS CASUAL DRESS (The tracksuit metaphorically represents a state of relaxation and informality).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common US synonym for 'tracksuit'?