What does outerwear mean?
Outerwear is a collective noun for clothing worn over other garments, especially in cold, wet, or windy conditions. Typical examples include coats, jackets, parkas, raincoats, and other protective layers. The word is useful when speaking generally about clothing for outdoor conditions rather than identifying one particular item. For example, a shop may advertise "warm outerwear," while a weather report may advise people to wear waterproof outerwear. Although individual garments can certainly be counted, the word is usually uncountable and describes a category or collection of clothing. It is commonly used in British and American English, with possible differences in how broadly people apply it to accessories such as gloves and hats. Overall, outerwear denotes the clothing that forms a protective barrier between the wearer and the surrounding weather.
nounClothing worn on the outside of the body, especially over other clothes, such as coats, jackets, and rainwear. The term is usually collective and refers to a category of garments rather than one specific item.
- Clothing worn outside or over other clothes, especially garments such as coats, jackets, and waterproofs.
"She put on some warm outerwear before heading out into the cold."
"The shop sells lightweight outerwear for warm summer evenings."
"Passengers were advised to bring waterproof outerwear because of the rain."
Normally used as an uncountable collective noun; "outerwears" is uncommon and appears when individual outer garments are being referred to.
"The shop displays several stylish outerwears for winter."
Outerwear is the word for the layer that stands between you and the weather.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outerwear come from?
Outerwear is a compound formed within English from "outer" and "wear," both of which have roots in Old English. The word combines the older sense of "out" or "beyond" with "wear," the longstanding English term for clothing or the act of wearing clothes. Related words such as "outfit" and "outward" also reflect the idea of something being on the outside.
How outerwear is actually used
Usually treated as an uncountable collective noun. In British English, "outerwear" is often contrasted with "underwear" and may include hats, gloves, and other items worn outside; in American English, it more commonly refers specifically to garments such as coats, jackets, and parkas.
Easily confused with outerwear
Outerwear is clothing worn over other garments, whereas underwear is worn directly against the body beneath other clothing.