# suit

/ˈsut/ (US) · /sˈuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suit
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. matching clothes

noun · CEFR A2

a set of clothes made from the same fabric, usually including a jacket and trousers or a skirt.

For teachers: a set of garments of the same fabric and colour, typically consisting of a jacket and matching trousers or skirt, intended for formal or professional wear.

- He wore a dark blue suit and a white shirt to his job interview.
- The executive arrived at the gala wearing a bespoke charcoal suit that reflected his status within the firm.

### 2. legal case

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a problem or claim that is brought to a court of law to be decided.

For teachers: a process instituted in a court of law for the recovery of a right or the redress of a wrong.

- The company faced a suit from a former employee regarding unpaid wages.
- The environmental group filed a civil suit against the corporation, alleging that the factory had knowingly contaminated the local water supply.

### 3. playing cards

noun · CEFR B1

one of the four groups in a pack of cards: spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs.

For teachers: any of the four sets into which a deck of playing cards is divided, each identified by a specific symbol.

- In this game, you must play a card of the same suit as the first player.
- The dealer noted that three players were holding cards from the same suit, significantly increasing the tension of the final round.

### 4. business person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who works in an office or as a boss, especially one you think is boring or only cares about money.

For teachers: a metonymic reference to a corporate executive or bureaucrat, often used with a pejorative connotation of conformity or lack of imagination.

- The creative team didn't want the suits from the head office telling them how to design the ad.
- The developers were frustrated when a group of suits from the marketing department vetoed the most innovative features of the software.

### 5. to be convenient

verb · CEFR B1

to be convenient or acceptable for someone.

For teachers: to be convenient for or acceptable to a person; to satisfy a particular requirement or preference.

- We can meet at 10:00 AM if that time suits you.
- The proposed schedule suits the majority of the staff, though the night shift workers have requested a few minor adjustments.

### 6. to look good on

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone look attractive because of the style or colour.

For teachers: to be aesthetically appropriate for a person's appearance or character.

- That bright green dress really suits you.
- The stylist suggested that the shorter haircut would suit her facial structure better than the long layers she currently had.

## Examples

- He wears a dark suit to every job interview.
- The lawyer arrived at the courthouse wearing a sharp grey suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
- While the office dress code has become increasingly casual over the last decade, most partners still prefer to wear a tailored suit when meeting with high-profile clients.

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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.