Definition

1. Noun:
   • Clothing worn for doing manual labor: Garments specifically designed or chosen to be durable, protective, and suitable for tasks involving physical work, often in environments where clothes may get dirty, stained, or damaged.

Usage

• The term "work-clothes" is a compound noun. It is typically used to refer to the specific set of garments worn for a job or task, often implying they are not one's regular or formal attire.
• It is commonly used in contexts like construction, farming, manufacturing, gardening, and maintenance.

Examples

• Noun:
  • He changed into his work-clothes before starting on the car engine.
  • The company provides protective work-clothes for all factory employees.
  • Her work-clothes were covered in paint and sawdust after a day in the workshop.

Advanced Usage

• The concept implies functionality over fashion. While often simple (e.g., jeans and a t-shirt), it can also refer to specialized protective gear like coveralls, high-visibility vests, or flame-resistant clothing, depending on the job.
• "A set of work-clothes": A common phrase to refer to the complete outfit.
  • He packed a fresh set of work-clothes for his week of volunteering on the farm.

Variants and Related Words

• Workwear (n): A more formal or commercial term for clothing designed for work, often encompassing a wider range of professions and styles, including uniforms.
• Overalls / Coveralls (n): A type of one-piece protective garment often worn as work-clothes.
• Protective clothing / PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) (n): A broader category that includes specialized work-clothes designed for safety (e.g., hard hats, gloves, respirators).

Synonyms

• Work gear: Informal synonym emphasizing the equipment-like nature of the clothing.
• Work attire: A slightly more formal term that can include uniforms for non-manual labor.
• Dungarees / Bib overalls: Specific types of work-clothes.

Related Phrases

• "To dress for the job": An idiom meaning to wear appropriate clothing for a task, which often means wearing work-clothes for manual labor.
  • If you're going to help in the garden, you need to dress for the job.
• "To get one's work-clothes on": A phrase meaning to prepare physically for a task by changing into appropriate attire.
  • I'll meet you outside as soon as I get my work-clothes on.

Noun

1. clothing worn for doing manual labor