What does overcoat mean?
An overcoat is a long or heavy coat that is worn over other clothes, usually to provide extra protection from cold, wind, or rain. Unlike the general word coat, which can refer to many kinds of upper-body garment, an overcoat specifically suggests an outer layer and is often associated with formal or traditional clothing. A person might put on a wool overcoat before going out in bad weather, or wear a dark overcoat with a suit. The term is still perfectly standard, although in casual modern speech people may simply say coat, jacket, or parka. Its distinctive feature is not merely that it covers the body, but that it is intended to be worn over another garment or set of clothes.
nounA long coat worn over other clothes, especially one designed for protection against cold or wet weather.
- A long or heavy coat worn over other clothes, typically as protection from cold or rain.
- A formal outer garment worn over a suit or other clothing.
"He put on his wool overcoat before stepping out into the rain."
"She buttoned her overcoat as she hurried through the snowy street."
"The portrait depicts the statesman in a dark overcoat and scarf."
The usual plural is overcoats, with the -s ending added directly.
"The shop displays wool overcoats and rainproof coats for the winter."
An overcoat began as a practical answer to a simple problem: sometimes one coat is not enough for the weather.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overcoat come from?
Overcoat is a compound formed in English from the prefix over and the noun coat, reflecting its function as an outer garment. The word coat itself entered Middle English from Old French cote, which was ultimately borrowed from Latin cutta. The compound became established as clothing conventions developed, with the overcoat worn as a heavier or more formal outer layer.
Related word forms
How overcoat is actually used
Generally formal or traditional in contemporary English. The word can sound old-fashioned in everyday speech, while a coat or jacket is more commonly used for general outerwear.
Easily confused with overcoat
A coat is a general term for a garment worn on the upper body, while an overcoat is specifically a longer or heavier coat worn over other clothing.