What is suit? Pronunciation and usage in English

suit means . Learn how to pronounce and use suit through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of suit

suitnoun/verb

/suːt/
Definition & pronunciation of suit

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "suit" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it depends on the type of suit you're referring to!

1. For a formal suit (like a business suit):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈsuːt/ (pronounced "soot")
  • Breakdown:
    • Su: Sounds like the word "su" in "sun"
    • -it: Sounds like "t" (as in "cat")

2. For a swimsuit:

  • Pronunciation: /suːt/ (pronounced "soot" - same as the formal suit)
  • Breakdown: The same as above - "soot"

Tips for both pronunciations:

  • Focus on the "oo" sound: Both pronunciations have a short "oo" sound like in "moon" or "book."
  • Short and sharp: The "t" sound at the end is short and crisp.

Resources to hear the pronunciation:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • Are you referring to a business suit or a swimsuit?

Usage and examples with the word suit in English

Let's break down how to use the word "suit" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by how it's used:

1. Clothing – A Formal Outfit

  • Most Common Meaning: This is probably the meaning you're most familiar with. A “suit” refers to a set of clothes – typically a jacket and matching trousers (or skirt) – worn for formal occasions.
    • Example: "He wore a dark grey suit to the business meeting."
    • Example: "She’s buying a new suit for her wedding."
    • Synonyms: ensemble, formal wear

2. Legal Suit (Law)

  • Meaning: A legal action or lawsuit. This is a more formal, legal usage.
    • Example: "The company is facing a major suit over product defects."
    • Example: “The lawyers are preparing for the suit.”
    • Synonyms: litigation, legal action

3. Suit (Type/Style) – Referring to Clothing Styles

  • Meaning: This refers to the style or type of clothing, regardless of whether it's a full suit.
    • Example: “I need a suit for tonight.” (meaning a stylish jacket and trousers)
    • Example: "He's wearing a black suit." (meaning he's wearing a jacket and trousers, but not necessarily a matching set)
    • Common Types: Business Suit, Wedding Suit, Racing Suit, Diving Suit, etc.

4. Suit (To Fit/Match) – Verb (to fit well)

  • Meaning: To fit someone well, or to match perfectly.
    • Example: “This jacket suits me perfectly.” (It fits me well and looks good on me.)
    • Example: "The color suits her." (The color looks good on her.)
    • Synonyms: fit, flatter, harmonize

5. Suit (To Agree/Be Appropriate) – Verb (to be suitable)

  • Meaning: To be appropriate or suitable for something.
    • Example: “This offer suits my needs.” (This offer is suitable for what I need.)
    • Example: "That plan suits the situation." (That plan is appropriate for the situation.)

6. Suit (Card Game) - (A subset of cards)

  • Meaning: A group of cards in a standard deck that have a particular rank or combination. (Mostly used in card games).
    • Example: "He suited the queen." (He played a queen of the same suit as the previous card.)

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Formal Outfit Noun "He wore a suit to the interview."
Legal Action Noun "They filed a suit against the company."
Clothing Style Noun “She's wearing a formal suit.”
Fits Well Verb “This dress suits her beautifully.”
Is Suitable Verb “This job suits my experience.”
Card Game Noun “He suited the ace.”

Tips for Using “Suit” Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Don't Overuse: Using "suit" too frequently can sound repetitive.

Could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "suit"? (For example, are you writing a story, having a conversation, or studying grammar?) Knowing the context will help me give you even more specific advice.

Synonyms for the word suit

Practice with vocabulary suit

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's demanding timeline did not fully ______ the team's available resources.
  2. Her elegant black dress and pearl necklace really ______ her sophisticated style.
  3. Applicants must ______ the minimum requirements to be considered for the scholarship.
  4. After careful consideration, they decided to ______ the new safety protocols across all departments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following would best ______ your career aspirations in the long term? a) reflect b) accommodate c) suit d) conform to

  2. The company is looking for a solution that can ______ the complex data management needs of all departments. a) address b) accommodate c) suit d) comply with

  3. To maintain a professional image, the new CEO always wears a meticulously tailored business ______. a) uniform b) apparel c) suit d) costume

  4. Before launching the product, we need to ______ that all features function as intended. a) assure b) ensure c) confirm d) verify

  5. The architect proposed a design that would seamlessly ______ with the surrounding environment. a) blend b) integrate c) combine d) merge

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. This flexible working arrangement is very convenient for my family life. (Rewrite using "suit")
  2. The raw material chosen was not appropriate for the harsh manufacturing conditions. (Rewrite using a related word form of "suit")
  3. We need to adjust our strategy to align with the latest market trends. (Rewrite without using "suit")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's demanding timeline did not fully suit the team's available resources.
  2. Her elegant black dress and pearl necklace really suit her sophisticated style.
  3. Applicants must meet (or satisfy) the minimum requirements to be considered for the scholarship.
  4. After careful consideration, they decided to implement (or adopt) the new safety protocols across all departments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) suit
  2. b) accommodate, c) suit
  3. c) suit
  4. b) ensure, c) confirm, d) verify
  5. a) blend, b) integrate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. This flexible working arrangement really suits my family life.
  2. The raw material chosen was unsuitable for the harsh manufacturing conditions.
  3. We need to adapt our strategy to align with the latest market trends.

Comment ()