Words / B1

WAYSK-oht/ˈweɪskəʊt/

A waistcoat is a sleeveless jacket worn over a shirt, often as part of formal or uniform dress (UK). In US English vest often means this garment; in UK English a vest is usually an undershirt. Concerts: a waistcoat is kit; a hoodie is not the same layer.

Meaning

A sleeveless jacket worn over a shirt, often as part of formal or uniform dress (UK; US vest).

Examples

• “A waistcoat for the concert is kit; a hoodie is not the same layer.”
• “A waistcoat in the uniform shop still needs the school badge; a fashion one is not the inspection layer.”

Good to know

a waistcoat (UK). US: often a vest. Contrast: a UK vest (undershirt) / a hoodie. Concerts / uniform. Countable. Mix-up: waist is the body; a waistcoat is the garment.

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