wind breaker

wind breaker

A man zips up his wind breaker before going outside.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A wind breaker is a type of lightweight jacket designed to protect the wearer from the wind, typically made of a wind-resistant material such as nylon or polyester. It is often worn in mild or cool weather as an outer layer.
Usage Examples
  • (A lightweight jacket to shield against the wind.)
  • (A protective outer garment used outdoors.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to wear a wind breaker": to use a wind-resistant jacket as a practical clothing item.

    • He always wears a wind breaker when cycling to block the cold air. (He uses the jacket for protection during cycling.)

  • "a wind breaker is not a raincoat": a note that wind breakers are not fully waterproof, only wind-resistant.

    • You need a raincoat for heavy rain, but a wind breaker works for light drizzle. (The jacket is suitable only for dry, windy conditions.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Windbreaker (n): a common alternative spelling (one word) with the same meaning.

    • He bought a red windbreaker for his morning jog. (A wind-resistant jacket.)

  • Wind-cheater (n): a synonym used primarily in British English, also referring to a wind-resistant jacket.

    • She wore a wind-cheater to the football match. (A British term for a wind breaker.)
Synonyms
  • Jacket: a general term for a short coat, often including wind-resistant styles.
  • Anorak: a hooded jacket, often wind- and water-resistant, though typically heavier than a wind breaker.
  • Parka: a longer, insulated jacket for cold weather, sometimes wind-resistant.
Related Idioms
  • "to break the wind": an unrelated idiom meaning to expel gas from the body (not to be confused with "wind breaker").
    • He accidentally broke the wind in the quiet room. (He passed gas.)
Phrasal Verbs

  • Break in: to use something new until it becomes comfortable, often applied to shoes or jackets.

    • You need to break in your new wind breaker by wearing it a few times. (Make the jacket more flexible through use.)

  • Break out: to bring out or start using something, such as a jacket.

    • She broke out her wind breaker when the temperature dropped. (She took out and began wearing the jacket.)