wifebeater

American  

[wahyf-bee-ter] / ˈwaɪfˌbi tər /

Or wife-beater

noun

1. a man who beats his wife.

2. Slang: Offensive. a white, sleeveless, close-fitting man’s undershirt, often worn as an outer shirt.

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Etymology

Origin of wifebeater

First recorded in 1650–60 wifebeater for def. 1 and in 1990–95 wifebeater for def. 2; wife ( def. ) + beater ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does wifebeater compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• wifebeater vs. tank top

Example Sentences

Halfway through the performance, Gambino, sparkling his glittery wifebeater, took a moment to get vulnerable with the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

He was wearing clothes the police had scrounged up for him at the station, this torn-up wifebeater that was way too small, pants so short on him they looked like capris.

From Literature

The wifebeater shirt can equally be a pinstripe suit.

From Washington Post

He’s got on a wifebeater and shorts, which is so not Uncle Carlos, yet something about him still looks detectivey.

From Literature

He’s in a wifebeater and pillow marks zigzag across his face.

From Literature