suit

noun

\ˈsüt

Definition of suit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 archaic : suite sense 1

2a : recourse or appeal to a feudal superior for justice or redress

b : an action or process in a court for the recovery of a right or claim

3 : an act or instance of suing or seeking by entreaty : appeal specifically : courtship

4 : a group of things forming a unit : suite —used chiefly of armor, sails, and counters in games

5 : a set of garments: such as

a : an ensemble of two or more usually matching outer garments (such as a jacket, vest, and trousers) businessmen wearing three-piece suits

b : a costume to be worn for a special purpose or under particular conditions gym suits

6a : all the playing cards in a pack bearing the same symbol

b : all the dominoes bearing the same number

c : all the cards or counters in a particular suit held by one player a 5-card suit

d : the suit led follow suit

7 slang : a business executive —usually used in plural

suit

verb

suited; suiting; suits

Definition of suit (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to be becoming to that dress suits you

b : to be proper for : befit a mood that suits the occasion

2 : to outfit with clothes : dress

3 : accommodate, adapt suit the action to the word

4 : to meet the needs or desires of : please suits me fine

intransitive verb

1 : to be in accordance : agree the position suits with your abilities

2 : to be appropriate or satisfactory these prices don't suit

3 : to put on specially required clothing (such as a uniform or protective garb) —usually used with up players suiting up for the game

Other Words from suit Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about suit

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of suit in a Sentence

Noun

He wore his gray suit to the job interview. filed a suit against the company that had manufactured the faulty heater, claiming they were responsible for the fire

Verb

This kind of behavior hardly suits a person of your age. She gave a serious speech that suited the occasion. The formal furniture really suited the style of the house. The job suits her very well.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In fact, two of the primary plaintiffs chosen by the ACLU for their class-action suit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement are also of Congolese heritage: a mother and daughter who came to the U.S. seeking asylum last year. — Shamira Ibrahim, Daily Intelligencer, "Patricia Okoumou and the Threat to Black Immigrants," 13 July 2018 In her suit, Thurmand says UConn manufactured false allegations about the fellowship-award process and pursued criminal and administrative charges in an effort to force her to leave. — Matthew Kauffman, courant.com, "Former UConn Diversity Officer Alleges Racial Discrimination," 13 July 2018 Speaking afterward to reporters, Garabedian argued that Hefner and Rosenberg had already endured public scrutiny for months before the suit was filed. — Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Lawyers for Rosenberg, Hefner say releasing accuser’s name would level ‘playing field’," 12 July 2018 One number has Todd wearing his electronic drum suit. — Sheryl Devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Zion concert is part of New Odyssey's final year of concerts," 12 July 2018 It has been carried out by both Democratic and Republican secretaries of state for more than two decades, but the suit was not filed until 2016. — Julie Carr Smyth, The Seattle Times, "Ohio elections chief makes changes to keep voters on rolls," 9 July 2018 The suit was filed by inmate Oberist Saunders, who contended the jail’s mental health unit was stifling hot with little or no air circulation. — Bill Rankin, ajc, "Trump packs influential Atlanta court with conservative judges," 6 July 2018 The suit will be filed in superior court, Scolnik said. — Shawn R. Beals, Courant Community, "Middletown Becomes Latest Town To Sue Drug Companies," 6 July 2018 The suit was filed on behalf of DNC donors Eric Schoenberg and Roy Cockrum and former DNC staffer Scott Comer. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Lawsuit linking Trump to leak of Democratic emails tossed out on procedural grounds," 4 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Rather, haute couture is considered the highest form of fashion, and the designs are highly complicated creations that often seem better suited for a sci-fi movie or art museum. — Kristin Larson, chicagotribune.com, "Paris haute couture: A lesson in looking at fashion with wonder — and not taking it too seriously," 13 July 2018 There’s perhaps no one better suited for the throwback glamour of Paris Couture Week than Chachki—see for yourself and look at her exclusive photo diary above. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Violet Chachki Takes on Paris Couture Week—And It’s Fabulous," 11 July 2018 According to Business of Fashion, Instagram is better suited for fashion (particularly photography) but YouTube has more users, a younger audience, and posts by major brands get more views. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "YouTube Hires a Fashion-Industry Whisperer," 25 June 2018 People familiar with the details said Mr. Morhard’s political ties seem particularly suited to assist in striving for those goals. — Andy Pasztor, WSJ, "White House Taps Veteran Congressional Staffer for No.2 NASA Post," 12 July 2018 Now, Mariota will play for a head coach (Mike Vrabel) who watched Bill O’Brien adjust his offense to suit Watson’s strengths last year in Houston. — Andy Staples, SI.com, "Like It or Not, College Football Is Influencing the NFL," 12 July 2018 True to Microsoft’s roots, the company said the lightweight Go would also suit the needs of businesses, which have been early adopters of Microsoft hardware including the Surface line and its Hololens augmented reality glasses prototype. — Hayley Tsukayama, courant.com, "Microsoft Shrinks The Surface To A Purse-Friendly Size," 11 July 2018 They will be assessed for their educational level and placed in a school that best suits their needs, as any new child to the District would be. — Diane Smith, star-telegram, "'After the headlines have faded,' they will be the first to see immigrant children's trauma," 29 June 2018 Therefore, select insurance coverage that best suits your business needs and budget. — Steven A. Wolf, miamiherald, "Prepare for the aftermath of hurricane season," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for suit

Noun

Middle English sute, seute pursuit, retinue, set, legal action, from Anglo-French siute, suite, from Vulgar Latin *sequita, from feminine of *sequitus, past participle of *sequere to follow — more at sue

Noun

Anglo-French siute suite suit request to initiate legal proceedings, literally, pursuit, from siute, feminine past participle of suire to follow, from Old French sivre — see sue

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about suit

Dictionary Entries near suit

suipestifer infection

Statistics for suit

Last Updated

5 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for suit

The first known use of suit was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for suit

suit

noun

English Language Learners Definition of suit

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a set of clothes that usually consists of a jacket and a skirt or pair of pants that are made out of the same material

: a set of clothes or protective covering that is worn for a special purpose or under particular conditions

: a process by which a court of law makes a decision to settle a disagreement or problem between people or organizations

suit

verb

English Language Learners Definition of suit (Entry 2 of 2)

: to provide what is required or wanted by or for (someone or something)

: to be proper or suitable for (someone or something)

: to be attractive on (someone)

See the full definition for suit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suit

noun

\ˈsüt

Kids Definition of suit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a set of clothing having matching top and bottom pieces

2 : a set of clothes or protective coverings worn for a special purpose or under particular conditions a gym suit a suit of armor

3 : an action in court to settle a disagreement or enforce a right or claim

4 : all the playing cards of one kind (as spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs) in a pack

suit

verb

suited; suiting

Kids Definition of suit (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to be suitable or satisfactory The time of the meeting suits my schedule.

2 : to make suitable : adapt You should suit your speech for your audience.

3 : to be proper for or pleasing with That scarf does not suit the dress.

4 : to meet the needs or desires of … it was fully settled that James should go … as it suited his master …— Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

suit

Medical Definition of suit

— see g suit, pressure suit

Keep scrolling for more

suit

noun

Legal Definition of suit

: a proceeding to enforce a right or claim specifically : an action brought in a court seeking a remedy for injuries suffered or a determination of rights : lawsuit