outfit

American  

[aut-fit] / ˈaʊtˌfɪt /

noun

• outfits
  plural

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.

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verb (used with object)

• outfits,
  present (3rd person singular)
• outfitted,
  past participle,  past
• outfitting
  present participle

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)

• outfits,
  present (3rd person singular)
• outfitted,
  past participle,  past
• outfitting
  present participle

1. to furnish oneself with an outfit.

outfit British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• outfitter
  noun
• preoutfit
  verb (used with object)
• reoutfit
  verb (used with object)

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• outfits
  plural

Participles

• outfitting
  present
• outfitted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• outfit
  simple
• outfits
  simple
• have outfitted
  perfect
• has outfitted
  perfect
• am outfitting
  progressive
• are outfitting
  progressive
• is outfitting
  progressive
• have been outfitting
  perfect progressive
• has been outfitting
  perfect progressive

Past

• outfitted
  simple
• had outfitted
  perfect
• was outfitting
  progressive
• were outfitting
  progressive
• had been outfitting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will outfit
  simple
• will have outfitted
  perfect
• will be outfitting
  progressive
• will have been outfitting
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of outfit

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

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Explanation

You can use the noun outfit to mean clothes that go together, like a shirt and pants that you always wear to job interviews. You might have spent hours choosing your first-day-of-school outfit. An outfit is often selected for a special occasion, like a graduation outfit, an outfit for your cousin's party, or your rodeo outfit. An outfit is also a kit or set of tools that serve a specific purpose, and as a verb it means "provide with" or "equip." A girl scout leader, for example, will outfit her troops with water and sunblock for a long hike on a sunny summer day.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outfit outfits outfitted outfitting

Winning the Scudetto in 1962-63, Herrera's outfit became the first to lift the European Cup without losing a game the following season as Sandro Mazzola netted twice against Real Madrid in the final.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

He was in his outfit and smoking a cigarette, and she was like, “I think somebody’s on set who shouldn’t be” — because he looked like a local.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

But Skarsgård himself gives all the credit to the designers of the outfit.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Even if the choice of this outfit is that Wang is soft-launching his stick-and-poke tattooing side hustle, it’s still a conscious choice.

From Slate ● Oct. 3, 2026

I always go as Esther, tweaking my outfit each year.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

It is seen as a risk, with Vaccarello established as a celebrity favourite and widely praised for his last collection, which featured models wearing a variety of almost entirely gold outfits.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

“Just being normal to them, complimenting their outfits, or saying ‘hi, how’s it going?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The strategy also stands to benefit from Levi’s plan to open more branded stores, where it can tightly control its visual merchandising and cross-sell full outfits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Nigerian models donned outfits of seemingly impossible amounts of fabric folded and moulded into massive silhouettes, or overlapping in shingled, feather-like patterns.

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

We knew we wouldn't have enough for fly outfits, but at least we might be able to get haircuts.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

The companies outfitted the event with cubicles, vintage computers and plenty of Post-its.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Concierge service is available 24 hours a day, and common areas include a fitness center, an entertainment lounge, children’s playroom, dog spa, and a rooftop terrace outfitted with grilling stations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

The Delafield Hotel is a charming boutique property with massive rooms, comfortable beds and bathrooms outfitted with Kohler rain showers and soaking hydrotherapy tubs.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

Starting Thursday, passengers using Uber’s app in the U.K. capital could be matched with a vehicle outfitted with Wayve’s autonomous-driving technology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

Franz placed his furniture and most of his other possessions in a storage locker, bought a GMC Duravan, and outfitted it with bunks and camping gear.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Boeing reported a bigger-than-expected loss Tuesday fuelled by $280 million in additional costs in outfitting two US presidential planes, but said broad-based revenue growth showed progress after several troubled years.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit Waymo is currently outfitting purpose-built robotaxis made by Zeekr, a Geely-owned brand, which are imported and worked on at an Arizona plant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

To crank up production, both of Philly Shipyard’s dry docks will be used for new builds, rather than reserving one for final outfitting and commissioning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025

Costume designer Lindsay Pugh has done incredible work outfitting the film’s central female roles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025

However, while Mr. Clutter was shaving, showering, and outfitting himself in whipcord trousers, a cattleman’s leather jacket, and soft stirrup boots, he had no fear of disturbing her; they did not share the same bedroom.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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