outfit

American  

[out-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

Etymology

Origin of outfit

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

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

When soulful roots-rock outfit Alabama Shakes broke through with the release of its second studio album, “Sound & Color,” in 2015, it seemed like the start of something big.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Decked out in a bright outfit to see EsDeeKid, fan Zari says the rapper's presence is "very mysterious".

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

I looked over at 404 reporter Rebecca Castillo in envy, knowing she was about to witness the Brooklyn outfit for the first time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

In her interview with the author, Ms. Gauff recalls one particularly memorable outfit, a bodysuit with an orange skirt she had worn for the 2022 Australian Open.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

This outfit would look ridiculous on anyone else.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

During the climb, the pair, clad in black outfits with their faces covered, unfurled a banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

Sometimes, the outfits are aces, leaving athletes feeling good and playing well.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

He said that polling conducted by upstart organizations is not necessarily bad, but that the people conducting it don’t necessarily have the training or expertise of more established outfits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

The outfits that they’d wear walking around were the same outfits they’d wear onstage.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

I helped Deborah pack too, and she also wanted her prettiest, most impractical outfits.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Where Sal, the restaurant, is colorful and eclectic, JNcQUOI Beach Club is outfitted in a sleek palette of navy, natural wood and cream.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The aforementioned “wig room” has been outfitted with an enormous mirror and a built-in vanity perfect for trying on different styles—however a future occupant could easily use this space as a flex room or office.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026

The paratrooper, outfitted with a cheap plastic chute, never lived up to his promise, even if deployed from the second floor of a school classroom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

As his star rose, he attracted amused attention with his Manhattan penthouse and Palm Beach compound, both outfitted to the gills in golden decor.

From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026

It was being outfitted as a maternity ward.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

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

With hyperscalers locked in an arms race to secure data-center capacity, outfitting those data centers quickly is how neoclouds win business.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

The Lakers have stockpiled cap space and picks — as of draft night, they’ll have 2026, 2031 and 2033 first-rounders to offer — like they’re doomsayers outfitting a bunker.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

The privately held company, which launched in 2020, is now ringing up $300 million-plus in yearly sales outfitting members of the more than 30 million tradespeople in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026

He spent much of his time outfitting his hotel.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson