Definition

Noun: A matching set of garments designed to be worn together as outerwear. It typically consists of a jacket and trousers (for men) or a jacket and a skirt or trousers (for women), all made from the same fabric and color, presenting a coordinated and formal appearance.

Usage

A "suit of clothes" refers to a complete, matching outfit, primarily for formal, business, or ceremonial occasions. It is considered a standard of professional and formal dress.

Examples

• For his wedding, he bought a new suit of clothes.
• She prefers to wear a suit of clothes for important business meetings.
• The invitation specified "business attire," so he wore his best suit of clothes.

Advanced Usage

• "In one's best suit of clothes": Dressed in one's finest or most formal matching outfit, often for a special event.
  • He was laid to rest in his best suit of clothes.

Variants and Related Words

• Suit (n): A more common, shortened form of "suit of clothes."
  • He wore a grey suit to the interview.
• Two-piece suit (n): Specifically denotes a suit with two main components: a jacket and trousers or a skirt.
• Business suit (n): A suit designed for professional office environments.
• Lounge suit (n, chiefly British): A man's suit for ordinary daytime wear.

Synonyms

• Outfit: A set of clothes worn together. (Note: "outfit" is more general and can be less formal.)
• Ensemble: A coordinated set of items, often used in fashion.
• Two-piece: Informal term highlighting the two main garments.

Notes on Meaning

The phrase "suit of clothes" is somewhat formal and traditional. In modern, everyday English, the single word "suit" is almost always used instead. "Suit of clothes" emphasizes the completeness and matching nature of the garments as a single unit.

Noun

1. a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
   • they buried him in his best suit