outfit

1 of 2

noun

out·​fit ˈau̇t-ˌfit How to pronounce outfit (audio)
1
: the act of fitting out or equipping (as for a voyage or expedition)
2
a
: a set of tools or equipment especially for the practice of a trade
b
: a clothing ensemble often for a special occasion or activity
c
: physical, mental, or moral endowments or resources
3
: a group that works as a team : organization
especially : a military unit

outfit

2 of 2

verb

outfitted; outfitting

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with an outfit
2
: supply
outfitting every family with shoesAmer. Guide Series: Vt.

intransitive verb

: to acquire an outfit
Choose the Right Synonym for outfit

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed.

furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation.

outfitted the family for a ski trip

appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Examples of outfit in a Sentence

Noun She bought a new outfit for the party. the restaurant provides its waitstaff with themed outfits Verb The company outfitted us with food and supplies. outfitted the scuba instructors handsomely with all new gear
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Johnson, who had met with Michele in Rome shortly before these photos were taken, seemed to be paying her respects to the designer with her outfit choice. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024 The hip-hop outfit will actually take the stage with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Troy Miller, to perform symphonic versions of their biggest hits. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 The royal accessorized the outfit with a turquoise and diamond shamrock brooch given to her by the late Queen Elizabeth, who is thought to have received it as a wedding gift back in 1947. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 For the inevitable true-crime-doc cameo, wear whatever outfit smugly conveys that prying pays off. Jen Spyra, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024 Monday, March 25 Holi in the District at Union Market Show up with an all-white outfit and a willingness to get doused in colored powder during Union Market’s festivities in honor of the Indian holiday Holi. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Based on the million cars sold in 2017, researchers from the UK’s Faraday Institution, a research outfit focused on battery technology, estimated that some 250,000 tonnes of unprocessed battery packs will reach the end of their lives in 15 to 20 years. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 Our crew pushing bounds and creating set pieces, outfits, hairstyles, and music that were often unexpected and always first-rate. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The rapper dressed up for the occasion in a very Madonna outfit — bright blonde wig and diamond encrusted, conical bra top. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
The great room features a living space with a fireplace, a dining area, and a modern kitchen outfitted with custom cabinetry and Sub-Zero appliances. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024 Your little one will be fully outfitted and ready to save the day alone or with a friend! Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024 Aside from outfitting politicians and dignitaries, Greenfield also worked with the likes of Sinatra and Denzel Washington. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Players again take on the role of The New Kid, but this time, the protagonist is outfitted with a diverse array of attacks. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024 After the severe shortage at the beginning of the war, Israeli reservists do not trust the army to outfit them in the next escalation and are taking tactical uniforms, combat vests and weapons home with them, Israel's Walla news reports. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 After catastrophic fires burned thousands of homes in 2020, lawmakers invested $195 million into readiness, including outfitting local fire departments and developing home hardening programs. Rob Davis, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2024 In total, an equally sized ship outfitted with two WindWings could annually save the same amount of emissions as removing 480 cars from roads—but that could even be a relatively conservative estimate, according to WindWing’s makers at BAR Technologies. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 The world’s appetite for its goods is welcomed by China, which is enduring a severe downturn in what had been the economy’s biggest driver of growth: building and outfitting apartments. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outfit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1798, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outfit was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near outfit

Cite this Entry

“Outfit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outfit. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outfit

1 of 2 noun
out·​fit ˈau̇t-ˌfit How to pronounce outfit (audio)
1
: the equipment or clothing especially for some special purpose
a camping outfit
a sports outfit
2
: a group of persons working together or associated in the same activity
soldiers in the same outfit

outfit

2 of 2 verb
outfitted; outfitting
: to furnish with an outfit : equip
outfit an expedition
outfitter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on outfit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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