English Reference

Word

outfit

Phoneticsout·fit, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈaʊtˌfɪt/

UK/ˈaʊtfɪt/

Definitions

01set of clothes

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a set of clothes that you wear together, often for a special event.

n. a coordinated set of garments and accessories worn together.

“She bought a new outfit for her best friend's wedding next month.”

“The designer showcased a striking autumn outfit consisting of a woollen overcoat paired with matching silk trousers and leather boots.”

02an organisation or team

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a group of people who work together, like a small company or a sports team.

n. a collective group of people associated for a common purpose, such as a business, military unit, or athletic team.

“He works for a small software outfit that develops mobile games.”

“Despite being a relatively small outfit, the consultancy managed to secure several high-profile contracts against much larger international competitors.”

03set of equipment

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. a complete set of tools or equipment needed for a specific job or activity.

n. a full set of equipment or apparatus required for a particular task or expedition.

“The explorer packed a specialized survival outfit for the mountain climb.”

“The laboratory was supplied with a complete testing outfit, ensuring the technicians had every instrument necessary for the chemical analysis.”

Synonyms

04to provide equipment

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to provide someone or something with all the equipment they need.

v. to supply or equip a person or organisation with necessary items for a specific purpose.

“The school will outfit the entire football team with new uniforms this year.”

“The expedition was carefully outfitted with state-of-the-art satellite communication gear to ensure the team remained in contact with the base camp.”

Usage

This is a transitive verb that often takes a direct object followed by 'with'.

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “outfit” in context.

Verb

01. outfit the team with gear

“The sponsor offered to outfit the entire team with professional gear for the tournament.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

02. put on an outfit

“He put on his best outfit before heading out to the gala.”

verb + prep + noun

03. wear an outfit

“She decided to wear a formal outfit for the job interview.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. shabby outfit

“He felt out of place in his shabby outfit compared to the other guests.”

adj + noun

05. small-time outfit

“They started as a small-time outfit operating out of a garage.”

adj + noun

06. stylish outfit

“Everyone complimented her on her stylish outfit at the party.”

adj + noun

Noun

07. outfit for the occasion

“I need to find a suitable outfit for the occasion next Saturday.”

noun + prep + noun

Real-World Examples

“Trump wore a tuxedo, and her office said first lady Melania Trump opted for a tuxedo-style outfit: a white Saint Laurent cotton poplin blouse, a black silk cummerbund and black brocade pants — both from Dolce & Gabbana — with a peony motif.”
Associated Press 24 Sept 2026
“Dressed in a bright yellow two-piece polyester outfit, she sits quietly in her home.”
Al Jazeera 14 Aug 2026
“The difference, she says, is whether they look like part of a considered outfit or something that would normally be worn around a swimming pool.”
BBC News 6 Aug 2026
“She turned heads with a jellyfish-inspired outfit during her walk-on at the Australian Open.”
Reuters 3 Jul 2026

Etymology

Variant of earlier out-fit, from fit out. Equivalent to out- + fit.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

In Games

Cover of The Outfit

Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.

The Outfit · 2006 · Third-person shooter

The Outfit is a 2006 war shooter for the Xbox 360. Here, an outfit is a small team of soldiers who fight together, as the title suggests. The player leads three squad leaders through battles in World War II Europe.

Domains

SportsStatistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference