What does pantsuit mean?
A pantsuit is a coordinated two-piece outfit consisting of a jacket and matching trousers. It combines the structured appearance of a suit with the practical freedom of wearing separate bottoms, making it a common choice for professional work, formal events, and public appearances. The word is especially familiar in North American English; British speakers more often say trouser suit. Although pantsuit is frequently used for women's clothing, the expression can describe a matching jacket-and-trousers outfit without making an explicit distinction between conventionally masculine and feminine tailoring. A pantsuit may be worn with a blouse or shirt, while evening versions may be made from satin, silk, or another dressier fabric. The term's usefulness lies in identifying the garment as a coordinated ensemble rather than merely as separate jacket and trousers.
nounA women's tailored suit consisting of a jacket and matching trousers. It may be worn for business, formal occasions, or as coordinated professional attire.
- A women's suit consisting of a fitted or tailored jacket and matching trousers.
"She paired a crisp blouse with a charcoal pantsuit for the meeting."
"The candidate wore a navy pantsuit during the televised debate."
"She chose a comfortable pantsuit for the long day at the conference."
The regular plural is pantsuits, used for multiple coordinated jacket-and-trousers outfits.
"The shop displayed several pantsuits in neutral colors."
A pantsuit brings tailored formality to the upper body and everyday mobility to the lower half.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pantsuit come from?
Pantsuit is a compound formed in American English from pants and suit. The word pants is an alteration of trousers and came to be used especially in American English, while suit entered English from Old French suite and ultimately relates to Latin sequi, “to follow.” The compound combines two separate clothing traditions: the upper garment associated with formal suiting and the lower garment known in American English as pants.
How pantsuit is actually used
The term is standard in North American English but comparatively uncommon in British English, where trouser suit is more usual. It may also be used more broadly for a matching jacket and trousers worn without assuming a conventionally gendered style.
Easily confused with pantsuit
A pantsuit has separate jacket and trousers, whereas a jumpsuit is a single garment with the top and trousers joined together.
A trouser suit and a pantsuit are essentially the same garment, but trouser suit is more usual in British English.