jackets

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Short coats that cover the upper body and arms, usually fastening at the front.

   Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is "jacket" and the plural is "jackets".

   Patterns

   • wear a jacket
   • a jacket over something
   • a jacket and tie

   He hung his jacket on the back of the chair.

   The children left their jackets in the car.

   She bought two light jackets for the trip.

2. 2nouncountable

   Outer covers made of paper or plastic that protect books, records, or other items.

   Grammar: Countable noun; often used in the phrase "dust jacket" for books.

   Patterns

   • a dust jacket
   • the jacket of a book
   • a record jacket

   The dust jacket was torn, but the pages were perfect.

   He collects old records and keeps the jackets in plastic sleeves.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   A tough outer layer or casing around a pipe, cable, or machine part.

   Grammar: Countable noun; common in technical and building contexts.

   Patterns

   • a cable jacket
   • an insulated jacket
   • the jacket around something

   The cable jacket had cracked, so the wires were exposed.

   Workers replaced the damaged jacket around the pipe.

Word forms

Common combinations

wear a jacket

You should wear a jacket tonight; it's cold.

take off your jacket

He took off his jacket and sat down.

a leather jacket

She rides a motorbike and always wears a leather jacket.

a jacket potato

For lunch I had a jacket potato with cheese.

put on a jacket

Put on a jacket before you go outside.

Synonyms and how they differ

coat

A coat is usually longer and warmer than a jacket and is worn outdoors in cold weather.

blazer

A blazer is a smarter, more formal jacket, often part of a school or work uniform.

cardigan

A cardigan is a knitted jacket that opens at the front and is usually softer and less formal.

Word family

jacket noun

The singular form, meaning one short coat or cover.

jacketed adjective

Having a jacket or outer cover, as in "a jacketed pipe".

Commonly confused: jackets or jacket?

Practice

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