Word
waistcoat
Phoneticswaist·coat
UK/wˈeɪstkəʊt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short top with no sleeves that you wear over a shirt, often under a suit jacket.
n. a sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a shirt and typically under a jacket, fastened down the front and forming part of formal three-piece dress.
Examples
“He wears a waistcoat with his suit.”
“The waiter wears a black waistcoat over a white shirt.”
“For the winter wedding he chose a charcoal three-piece suit, its waistcoat cut high to show only a narrow band of tie and pocket watch chain.”
Examples
simple
“He wears a waistcoat with his suit.”
contextual
“The waiter wears a black waistcoat over a white shirt.”
complex
“For the winter wedding he chose a charcoal three-piece suit, its waistcoat cut high to show only a narrow band of tie and pocket watch chain.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “waistcoat” in context.
Verb
01. button waistcoat
“He stood up and buttoned his waistcoat before the meeting.”
verb + noun
02. dress in waistcoat
“The waiters were all dressed in black waistcoat and white shirts.”
verb + prep + noun
03. remove waistcoat
“He removed his waistcoat and rolled up his sleeves.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. matching waistcoat
“The groom wore a navy suit with a matching waistcoat.”
adj + noun
05. pinstripe waistcoat
“He chose a classic pinstripe waistcoat for the office party.”
adj + noun
06. silk waistcoat
“She paired her shirt with an elegant silk waistcoat.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. button on waistcoat
“One of the buttons on his waistcoat had come loose.”
noun + prep + noun
08. pocket of waistcoat
“He kept his pocket watch in the pocket of his waistcoat.”
noun + prep + noun
09. suit with waistcoat
“He bought a formal suit with a waistcoat for the wedding.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a suit with a waistcoat
“For the interview, he wore a suit with a waistcoat.”
11. button up his waistcoat
“He buttoned up his waistcoat before entering the restaurant.”
12. pair a waistcoat with jeans
“You can pair a waistcoat with jeans for a smart-casual look.”
Etymology
From waist + coat. Compare Yola wauscoat, wazcoote.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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