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

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

Next week, Brighton begin their Conference League campaign at home to Lithuanian outfit FK Kauno Zalgiris.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

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

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Jäger is overseeing the BND’s transformation from a pure information-gathering and analysis outfit into a harder-hitting secret service with expanded powers, including the ability to strike back following cyberattacks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 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

All the people I loved most stared back at me: Thomas, Sir Fig Newton, Dad, and Mom in her Star Trek outfit.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

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

We formed the Earwigs, after the bug, and wore Beatle wigs, our track outfits and sunglasses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

"I like the fact that it is 'human crow meets golf caddy meets the Artful Dodger'. We're pretty happy with it," she joked about this year's outfits.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Then Baachan and Jiichan took off their special clothes, revealing their regular outfits underneath.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

The expansive grounds are outfitted with two ponds, lush gardens, and walking trails, as well as a resort-style swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

The wide-body jets it flies to Europe, which it acquired in the Hawaiian deal, are already outfitted with business class suites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

However, one of the home’s more unique amenities may have been particularly appealing to Biles: a dedicated mudroom outfitted with its own pet-washing and feeding station.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 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

Then I’d outfitted the car with an oscillation overthruster, a device that allowed it to travel through solid matter.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Nike was the pinnacle of cool in China in the 2000s, when the brand was known for outfitting top National Basketball Association stars such as LeBron James and Bryant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

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

But these days, outfitting brides for their big day is more fraught than ever because of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026

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