Suit - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT suit /sut/ /sut/ IPA guide

Other forms: suited; suits; suiting

Among many other meanings, a suit is a jacket and pants that match — formalwear for men. Suits are well-suited (appropriate) for some jobs and formal events, like a funeral.

A suit is also short for a lawsuit — like when you file a suit against a doctor who removed the wrong kidney. A suit is also an appeal to someone who has something you want — like money or affection. In cards, the suits are hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs. If a hat looks good on you, it suits you. In fact, you can say of just about anything you like, "That suits me." Like a well-fitting suit, when something suits you, you enjoy it and feel comfortable with it.

Definitions of suit

noun a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color “they buried him in his best suit” synonyms: suit of clothes see moresee less types: show 9 types... hide 9 types... business suit a suit of clothes traditionally worn by businessmen double-breasted suit a suit with a double-breasted jacket pinstripe a suit made from a fabric with very thin stripes single-breasted suit a suit having a single-breasted jacket slack suit casual dress consisting of slacks and matching jacket zoot suit a flashy suit of extreme cut pants suit, pantsuit a pair of pants and a matching jacket worn by women three-piece suit a business suit consisting of a jacket and vest and trousers lounge suit, two-piece, two-piece suit a business suit consisting of a matching jacket and skirt or trousers type of: garment an article of clothing
noun (slang) a businessman dressed in a business suit “all the suits care about is the bottom line” see moresee less type of: businessman, man of affairs a person engaged in commercial or industrial business (especially an owner or executive)
noun a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy “the family brought suit against the landlord” synonyms: case, causa, cause, lawsuit see moresee less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... civil suit a lawsuit alleging violations of civil law by the defendant class action, class-action suit a lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group countersuit a legal proceeding brought against someone who has sued you criminal suit a lawsuit alleging violations of criminal law by the defendant moot a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise bastardy proceeding, paternity suit a lawsuit filed to determine the father of a child born out of wedlock (and to provide for the support of the child once paternity is determined) type of: legal proceeding, proceeding, proceedings (law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
noun a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage) synonyms: courting, courtship, wooing see moresee less types: bundling a onetime custom during courtship of unmarried couples occupying the same bed without undressing type of: appeal, entreaty, prayer earnest or urgent request
noun a petition or appeal made to a person of superior status or rank see moresee less type of: appeal, entreaty, prayer earnest or urgent request
noun playing card in any of four sets of 13 cards in a pack; each set has its own symbol and color “a flush is five cards in the same suit” “in bridge you must follow suit” “what suit is trumps?” see moresee less types: major suit (bridge) a suit of superior scoring value, either spades or hearts minor suit ( bridge) a suit of inferior scoring value, either diamonds or clubs trump (card games) the suit that has been declared to rank above all other suits for the duration of the hand type of: playing card one of a pack of cards that are used to play card games
verb be agreeable or acceptable “This time suits me” see moresee less types: agree be agreeable or suitable type of: be have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
verb be agreeable or acceptable to “This suits my needs” synonyms: accommodate, fit see moresee less type of: conform to, fit, meet satisfy a condition or restriction
verb accord or comport with synonyms: befit, beseem see moresee less type of: agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally be compatible, similar, or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
verb enhance the appearance of “This behavior doesn't suit you!” synonyms: become see moresee less type of: beautify, embellish, fancify, prettify make more beautiful

Pronunciation US /sut/ UK /sut/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘suit'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing suit

Orbiting Jupiter Gary D. Schmidt

When twelve-year-old Maine farmboy Jackson Hurd meets his new foster brother, another middle schooler whom others see as trouble, he learns what it means to have someone's back.

Units 2–3

For a better understanding of the words you learned on Rosetta Stone Foundations, simply start a practice session! You’ll learn additional meanings and different contexts that will help you become a stronger reader and writer.

"When Cultures Meet"

Learn these words from the textbook article by Ann Rossi (Inside: Level B, Unit 5). Here are our links to the selections of "Close Encounters": Encounter, Culture Clash, Mexico City, When Cultures Meet, Old World New World; The Log of Christopher Columbus Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account