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

I imagine the A.I. bot like a child playing dress-up, donning an oversized blazer and glasses for a game of “businessman.”

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

With the aid of a stylist, he donned a Prada sweat suit for one shoot and a pair of Dior pants, a Giorgio Armani blazer and a Bvlgari watch for another.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

"I think you can have a school uniform without it being cumbersome," says Duncan, who also has a son who wears a blazer and tie to middle school.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

In her sequin blazer, red pants, black boots, bow tie and wide-brim hat, the 11-year-old mirrored his musical gestures, never missing a beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

He’s dressed in indigo jeans, a navy blazer, and a light blue collared shirt, the top two buttons unbuttoned.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• coat
• jacket