Definition

Fatigues (plural noun) 1. A specific type of military uniform: A utilitarian uniform worn by military personnel, typically during work details, training exercises, or in field conditions. It is distinct from formal dress uniforms and is designed for durability and comfort during manual labor or active duty.

Usage

• Fatigues is almost always used in its plural form to refer to the complete set of clothing (shirt and pants/trousers).
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• The term is strongly associated with the armed forces and the context of military service.

Examples

• The soldiers changed into their fatigues before heading to the training grounds.
• His fatigues were stained with mud after the long exercise.
• The new recruits were issued standard-issue fatigues.

Advanced Usage

• The word can sometimes be used more broadly to describe any loose-fitting, casual work clothes, but this usage is less common and often retains a military connotation.
• In some contexts, "fatigue" (singular) can refer to the specific fabric or the color (often olive drab or camouflage) used for these uniforms, but the clothing item itself is "fatigues."

Variants and Related Words

• Fatigue (noun, uncountable): Extreme tiredness. (e.g., ) This is the more common modern meaning of the base word.
• Fatigue (verb): To cause someone to become very tired. (e.g., )
• Battle Dress Uniform (BDU): A specific, common type of camouflage fatigues.
• Utilities / Utility Uniform: A more modern, generic term sometimes used interchangeably with fatigues.
• Camouflage / Camos: Informal terms for fatigues with a camouflage pattern.

Synonyms

• Field uniform
• Duty uniform
• Work uniform (military context)

Related Phrases

• To be in fatigues: To be wearing the fatigue uniform.
  • The general surprised everyone by inspecting the barracks while in fatigues.

Noun

1. military uniform worn by military personnel when doing menial labor