Words / A2

VEST/vest/

In British English a vest is underwear for the upper body: wear a vest, a thermal vest, vest under a jumper. American vest often means a waistcoat (a sleeveless jacket). T-shirt is outerwear. Undershirt is the American cousin of British vest. Do not write vast (huge) for vest.

Meaning

A piece of underwear worn on the upper body.

Examples

• “Put a vest on under your jumper — it is cold.”
• “Pack a warm vest if the hostel heating is weak.”
• “He wore a vest under his shirt on the cold platform.”

Good to know

British vest = undershirt. American vest often = waistcoat. Mix-up: vast (huge).

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