# Spencer

/ˈspɛnsɝ/ (US) · /spˈɛnsɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a surname or given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common English family name or first name.

For teachers: a common English surname originating from the occupational title for a steward or dispenser of provisions; also used as a unisex given name.

- Spencer is a popular name for both boys and girls in many countries.
- The Spencer family has a long and storied history in the British peerage, most notably associated with the Earldom of Spencer.

### 2. a historical jacket

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a short, tight jacket that ends at the waist, worn a long time ago.

For teachers: a short, waist-length jacket or overcoat, popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries for both men and women.

- The actress wore a velvet spencer over her long dress for the period drama.
- In Regency-era fashion, the spencer served as a functional yet stylish outer layer, typically ending just below the bustline of the high-waisted gowns.

### 3. a warm vest

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · British English

a warm, woollen undershirt or vest worn for extra heat.

For teachers: a close-fitting, usually woollen, undergarment or vest worn by women and children for additional warmth.

- She put on a woollen spencer under her coat to stay warm in the snow.
- The elderly woman insisted on wearing a knitted spencer beneath her blouse, even during the milder days of early autumn.

### 4. a type of sail

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a large sail used on old-fashioned ships.

For teachers: a large, loose-footed gaffsail used on square-rigged vessels, serving as a trysail.

- The sailors raised the spencer to help the ship move through the rough wind.
- The captain ordered the crew to set the spencer to improve the vessel's stability while navigating the narrow channel under heavy squalls.

## Examples

- She wore a velvet spencer over her long white dress.
- The historical drama featured actresses in high-waisted gowns paired with colorful wool spencers for outdoor scenes.
- While the frock coat remained standard for formal daywear, the spencer provided a functional yet stylish alternative for those seeking a shorter silhouette during the Napoleonic era.

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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.