Definition

Noun: A one-piece garment consisting of trousers and a sleeved top, typically made of a sturdy fabric like denim or cotton drill, designed to be worn over ordinary clothes to protect them during dirty or manual work.

Usage

A "boilersuit" is worn as protective outerwear. It is put on over regular clothing and is often fastened with a zipper or buttons running down the front. It is commonly associated with mechanics, engineers, factory workers, and painters.

Examples

• The mechanic wore a greasy boilersuit while repairing the engine.
• For the factory tour, all visitors were required to wear a safety boilersuit.
• She zipped up her blue boilersuit before starting the messy painting job.

Advanced Usage

• The term can imply a uniform for certain trades or industrial roles.
  • The team of engineers, all in identical boilersuits, inspected the installation.

Variants and Related Words

• Coveralls (noun): A near-synonym, more commonly used in American English. While very similar, "coveralls" can sometimes refer to slightly looser garments.
• Overalls (noun): In British English, "overalls" can be synonymous with "boilersuit." In American English, "overalls" typically refer to a garment with trousers and a bib held up by shoulder straps.
• Jumpsuit (noun): A one-piece garment for the torso and legs, but typically designed for fashion or specific activities (like skiing), not primarily for dirty work protection.

Synonyms

• Coveralls
• Overalls (primarily UK usage)
• Protective suit
• Work suit

Antonyms

• Business suit
• Formal wear
• Delicate clothing

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To be in (one's) boilersuit: To be dressed for manual work.
  • You'll find him in the garage, in his boilersuit, as usual.

Noun

1. a loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work