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dress suit

American  
[dres soot] / ˈdrɛs ˌsut /

noun

  1. a formal or semiformal ensemble, typically for a man, with matching jacket and trousers, usually worn with a dress shirt and necktie, sometimes including a vest.

  2. a woman’s ensemble for semiformal or professional wear, comprising a jacket or blazer paired with a matching dress or skirt.


dress suit British  

noun

  1. an ensemble of matching formal evening wear

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dress suit

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Seidel went home and put on two layers of clothes, a track suit over a dress suit.

From Literature

Known for his stylish dress suits for years, Wright enjoyed not having to wear them in the relaxed atmosphere in the pandemic, and instead wore three-quarter zips and sweatpants.

From New York Times

“She had dress suits and skirt suits and things like that, and that was their uniform every day,” Temkin said.

From Seattle Times

In perhaps the clearest sign of respect to the championship series, many reporters traded in their polo shirts, long the preferred bubble uniform, for dress suits.

From Washington Post

So the next day I put on my battle uniform: a red dress suit that my mom had bought me.

From New York Times