# jersey

/ˈdʒɝzi/ (US) · /dʒˈɜːsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jersey
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sports shirt

noun · CEFR B1

a shirt worn by a member of a sports team, often showing their name and number.

For teachers: a shirt worn by an athlete as part of a team uniform, typically featuring the team's colours, logo, and the player's identification.

- He bought a basketball jersey with his favourite player's number on the back.
- The club released their commemorative jersey ahead of the final, featuring a vintage design that paid tribute to their 1970s championship team.

Usage: Commonly used in both American and British English for team sports like football, basketball, or cycling.

### 2. knitted sweater

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a warm piece of clothing with long sleeves, made of wool or similar material.

For teachers: a knitted garment worn over the upper body, typically made of wool or cotton.

- She wore a thick woollen jersey to stay warm during the hike.
- The traditional fisherman's jersey was knitted with a dense pattern designed to provide insulation against the harsh North Sea winds.

Usage: In British English, this is often synonymous with 'jumper'.

### 3. type of fabric

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a soft, stretchy fabric used to make T-shirts and other comfortable clothes.

For teachers: a plain-knit or double-knit fabric, originally made of wool but now often cotton or synthetic fibres, characterised by its elasticity.

- This dress is made of a soft cotton jersey that doesn't wrinkle easily.
- The designer preferred working with silk jersey because of the way the material draped elegantly over the figure without requiring complex tailoring.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the material itself.

### 4. the island

noun · CEFR B1

the largest of the Channel Islands, located between England and France.

For teachers: The largest of the Channel Islands and a British Crown Dependency located off the coast of Normandy, France.

- They spent their summer holiday exploring the beaches and historic castles on Jersey.
- Jersey maintains its own financial and legal systems while remaining a dependency of the British Crown.

### 5. breed of cattle

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a small breed of cow that produces very rich, creamy milk.

For teachers: A breed of small dairy cattle, originally from the island of Jersey, noted for the high butterfat content of its milk.

- The farmer kept a small herd of Jerseys because their milk is excellent for making butter.
- The dairy cooperative specialises in products derived exclusively from Jersey cows, marketing the high cream content as a premium feature.

## Examples

- He wore a warm wool jersey on his hike.
- The cyclist pulled on a yellow jersey before the final stage of the race to show he was the leader.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.