waistcoat

American  

[wes-kuht, wayst-koht] / ˈwɛs kət, ˈweɪstˌkoʊt /

noun

• waistcoats
  plural

1. Chiefly British. vest.

2. an 18th-century garment for women that is similar to a man's vest, usually worn with a riding habit.

3. a man's body garment, often quilted and embroidered and having sleeves, worn under the doublet in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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waistcoat British  

/ ˈweɪsˌkəʊt /

noun

1. US, Canadian, and Austral name: vest. a sleeveless waist-length garment with buttons at the front, often worn under a suit jacket

2. a man's garment worn under a doublet in the 16th century

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• underwaistcoat
  noun
• waistcoated
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• waistcoats
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of waistcoat

First recorded in 1510–20; waist + coat

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Explanation

A waistcoat is a piece of clothing most often worn as part of a man's suit — it's the sleeveless garment you wear over a button-up shirt and under a suit jacket. A waistcoat is essentially the same thing as a formal vest. While you might throw on a warm vest to take your dog for a walk, you're more likely to wear a waistcoat if you're an usher in your cousin's wedding. The word dates from the 15th century, when a waistcoat was long-sleeved and worn under a man's doublet, a close-fitting jacket. As the name implies, unlike longer formal coats, waistcoats were cropped at the waist.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

waistcoat waistcoats

The composer Carl Friedrich Abel, a beloved friend of the artist, is shown in a shimmering gold waistcoat that reveals nothing of his financial troubles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

Piping on the waistcoat is “a kick” to stand out against judges in black.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

The unlikely nature of England’s campaign made Southgate and his squad hugely popular, the manager’s trademark waistcoat transforming him into something of a fashion icon.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2024

A beige T-shirt and waistcoat ensemble looked red carpet-ready with its chicly pleated, arrow-thin assorted tie.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 20, 2024

“Just look at the state I’m in. And it was my best coat and waistcoat, too.”

From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis

"There was Stewart tartan everywhere, the waistcoats, kilts and the dresses."

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026

Intricately embroidered custom waistcoats signify wealth, highlighting Stanton’s mood and allegiance through shades of blue: “There is a bit of a peacock aspect just in being very proud of what he and Lincoln have accomplished.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2024

But some have worn waistcoats with the symbol of Black History Month underneath.

From New York Times ● Jul. 6, 2023

At Fendi, designer Kim Jones added pleated skirt aprons and trains to tailored trouser suits as well as shoulder-baring sleeves to waistcoats.

From Reuters ● Feb. 22, 2023

Men of business wore waistcoats trimmed with silver galloon.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

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