outfit

[ out-fit ]

noun

1. an assemblage of articles that equip a person for a particular task, role, trade, etc.:

   an explorer's outfit.

   Synonyms: kit

2. a set of usually matching or harmonious garments and accessories worn together; coordinated costume; ensemble:

   a new spring outfit.

3. a set of articles for any purpose:

   a cooking outfit.

   Synonyms: kit

4. a group associated in an undertaking requiring close cooperation, as a military unit.
5. a business firm engaged in a particular form of commercial enterprise:

   a construction outfit.

6. any company, party, or set.
7. the act of fitting out or equipping for any purpose, as for a voyage, journey, or expedition.
8. mental, physical, or moral equipment.

verb (used with object)

, out·fit·ted, out·fit·ting.

1. to furnish with an outfit, equipment, etc.; fit out; equip:

   to outfit an expedition to the South Pole.

   Synonyms: rig, supply, appoint

2. Nautical. to finish equipping (a vessel) at a dock.

verb (used without object)

, out·fit·ted, out·fit·ting.

1. to furnish oneself with an outfit.

outfit

/ ˈaʊtˌfɪt /

noun

1. a set of articles or equipment for a particular task, occupation, etc
2. a set of clothes, esp a carefully selected one
3. informal.
   any group or association regarded as a cohesive unit, such as a military company, business house, etc
4. the act of fitting out
5. (formerly) the annual shipment of trading goods and supplies sent by a fur company to its trading posts

verb

1. to furnish or be furnished with an outfit, equipment, etc

Other Words From

• outfitter noun
• pre·outfit verb (used with object) preoutfitted preoutfitting
• re·outfit verb (used with object) reoutfitted reoutfitting

Word History and Origins

Origin of outfit¹

First recorded in 1755–65; out- + fit ¹

Example Sentences

All of history’s exotic characters have been knitted from an intricate patchwork of photosynthetic scraps, downcycling solar energy into stranger and stranger outfits until its reworking potential is exhausted into a formless pile of heat waste.

From Nautilus

Stow your winter coats away in your main closet for the spring and get your warm weather items out in the open for easy outfit planning, or set up a rack in your entryway for a space-efficient way for guests to offload their overcoats as they arrive.

From Popular-Science

They’ve won the National League West for seven straight years, a stretch during which they’ve transitioned from a luxe stars-and-scrubs outfit to one of the sport’s most accomplished developers of talent.

From FiveThirtyEight

While we haven’t had a chance to check out an R5 in person yet, some reputable photographic outfits have and the initial results look extremely promising.

From Popular-Science

I would say that the idea that an outfit like New Tang Dynasty doesn’t have an agenda would be naive.

From Freakonomics

They let us get ahead of the outfit, then the rest of the guys came in.

From The Daily Beast

This would outfit less than one tenth of police officers nationwide but gets the idea circulating.

From The Daily Beast

Style-wise, there has perhaps been just one outfit that could be described as a miss since Kate returned to active service.

From The Daily Beast

Regrow limbs, cure cancer, or rock a killer outfit à la Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element.

From The Daily Beast

Asked if he knew the names of the newborn quadruplets, Merritt recalled two: gi—a karate outfit—and po—a chamber pot.

From The Daily Beast

The tobacco-box, during the reign of Elizabeth, was no unimportant part of a dandy's outfit; sometimes a pouch or bag was used.

From Project Gutenberg

Naw, I sold my outfit to a goggle-eyed pilgrim that has an idea buffalo hides is prime all summer.

From Project Gutenberg

Curt as is the cable it has yet scope to show up a little more of our great K.'s outfit.

From Project Gutenberg

"This is the most ungrateful outfit of greasers I ever met up with," cried Clip, hurrying toward the second man.

From Project Gutenberg

She keeps me on ridiculously low rations, and if I had not brought my own outfit I don't think she would have sold me one.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Outfit

What does outfit mean?

Outfit commonly means a set of clothes, especially when they have been designed or carefully selected to be worn together.

Outfit can also be used as a term for a company, organization, or group that works closely together. As a verb, it means to provide with the proper equipment.

Example: Oh, I just love your outfit—I would have never thought to mix a flower pattern with a leopard print.

Where does outfit come from?

The first records of outfit come from the mid-1700s. Its earliest uses relate to stocking ships with the proper equipment and supplies.

From there, it developed a sense referring to the things needed for an expedition. It’s rarely used this way today, but when used as a verb, outfit means “to equip” and it often refers to providing someone with the right gear, especially for a specialized purpose. Someone who does this is called an outfitter, and this term often refers to stores that sell hunting and outdoor equipment.

A group going on an expedition can also be called an outfit. This sense of the word is often used to refer to businesses in a particular industry, as in trucking outfit. It’s also applied to military units.

But the most common meaning of outfit refers collectively to the clothes that someone is wearing. Regardless of whether you put any thought into what they would look like together, the clothes you’re wearing right now are an outfit. However, outfit is most often understood as referring to a set of clothes (and accessories) that are meant to go together, as in Before I go to bed each night, I choose and lay out my outfit for the next day. (We see you with the yellow vest and the matching socks. It’s working.)

Outfit has a lot of meanings, but most of them relate to equipment or clothing. Remember: You can outfit (equip) an outfit (group) with outfits (coordinated clothing).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to outfit?

• outfitter (noun)
• outfitted (past tense verb)
• preoutfit (verb)
• reoutfit (verb)

What are some synonyms for outfit?

• ensemble
• supply
• equip
• fit out

What are some words that share a root or word element with outfit? 

 

• out
• fit

What are some words that often get used in discussing outfit?

• clothes
• style
• fashion
• equipment
• trappings
• costume
• rig
• kit

How is outfit used in real life?

Outfit is most often in the context of clothes and fashion. As a verb, it often relates to preparing for outdoor activities.

this is harry's best outfit, period. pic.twitter.com/kFOPVf2ynX

— marta • ia ❀ˊˎ˗ (@tpwkhalsey) February 26, 2020

Thanks to @ZeroGenApparel for outfitting our entire Esports program with these incredible jerseys! Our Overwatch team is looking better than ever, and is ready to battle for tonight's match at 7PM! pic.twitter.com/dUnrAr5MtX

— Vianney Esports (@VianneyEsports) March 3, 2020

is mozilla a good outfit to work for ?

— Nick Main (@_nickmain) December 13, 2013

 

 

Try using outfit!

Which of the following things would NOT be part of an outfit?

A. shoes
B. shirt
C. toothpaste
D. hat