blazer

American  

[bley-zer] / ˈbleɪ zər /

noun

1. something that blazes or shines brightly.

2. a sports jacket, usually a solid color or striped, having metal buttons and sometimes an insignia on the breast pocket, as one worn by a member of a club, school, or the like.

3. a small cooking apparatus using as its source of heat a spirit lamp, hot coals, etc., used especially for preparing food at the table or outdoors.

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blazer British  

/ ˈbleɪzə /

noun

1. a fairly lightweight jacket, often striped or in the colours of a sports club, school, etc

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Etymology

Origin of blazer

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at blaze ¹, -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does blazer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• blazer vs. trailblazer

Explanation

A blazer is a jacket that is not as formal as a suit coat, but more formal than a cardigan. If you specify a business casual dress code on your party invitation, many people will show up wearing blazers. Another name for a blazer is a sports jacket or sport coat. Traditionally, blazers are made of wool or linen. While they come in various colors, a navy blazer is classic. This item of clothing is considered to be a little bit dressy, but not formal like a suit, tuxedo, or evening gown. The word blazer was originally used in colloquial American English for "attention-attracting thing." In late 19th-century British university slang, it came to mean "bright red flannel jacket."

Example Sentences

The ID.4 was the 10th-best-selling EV in the U.S. in 2025, just behind the Chevrolet Blazer EV, according to the firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Sparky and Lopez’s second dog, a golden retriever named Blazer, both went missing Dec. 3 shortly after the porch pirate was captured on a Ring camera leaving the yard with the gate wide open.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

The Mazda CX-70 and CX-90, the magazine says, “remain unreliable in their second year, as do the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and Colorado, and the GMC Canyon.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

Models that lost access to the credit included Tesla’s Cybertruck, and some versions of their Model 3, Nissan’s Leaf, Ford’s E-Transit van, and General Motors’ electric Blazer and Silverado.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

Two pickup trucks and JATT's Blazer were already parked by the lodge.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

Related Words

• coat
• jacket