Outfit vs The suit it wasn't cheap

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Outfit

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

The suit it wasn't cheap

Top 2,000 (common)
 OutfitThe suit it wasn't cheap
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈaʊtfɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈaʊtfɪt/"]/🇬🇧 //ðə sjuːt ɪt ˈwɒzənt tʃiːp//🇺🇸 //ðə sut ɪt ˈwɑzənt tʃip//
MeaningA set of clothes worn together for a specific occasion.A suit is a set of clothing, usually formal, consisting of a jacket and pants.
ExampleShe was wearing an expensive new outfit.The suit was so luxurious that it wasn't cheap.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationscomplete, new, summer, wear, choose, pick, in a/​the outfit, large, small, professionaltailored suit, expensive suit, business suit
Antonymsundress, disrobe-
Common mistakesUsing 'outfits' as a singular noun., Confusing 'outfit' with 'clothing' which is more general., Using 'outfit' only for formal wear; it applies to casual wear too.Confusing 'suit' with 'suite' (a set of rooms)., Using an incorrect verb tense (e.g., saying 'suits it wasn't cheap')., Incorrect word order in the sentence.
Usage notesUse 'outfit' when talking about clothes for events (like parties, work, etc.). It's neutral, so it fits both casual and formal contexts.Use 'suit' to refer to formal wear. The phrase emphasizes the cost of the suit. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts.

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The suit it wasn't cheap

Frequently asked questions: Outfit vs The suit it wasn't cheap

What's the difference between Outfit and The suit it wasn't cheap?

Outfit: A set of clothes worn together for a specific occasion. The suit it wasn't cheap: A suit is a set of clothing, usually formal, consisting of a jacket and pants.

Can you show an example of each?

Outfit: She was wearing an expensive new outfit. The suit it wasn't cheap: The suit was so luxurious that it wasn't cheap.

Can I use Outfit and The suit it wasn't cheap interchangeably?

Not always. Outfit and The suit it wasn't cheap are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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