Meaning & use
jock strap
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
a piece of underwear worn by men and boys to support the genitals during sports or exercise
Grammar: Countable: use 'a' or a plural. It is usually worn under shorts.
Patterns
- wear a jock strap
- a jock strap for sports
He put on a jock strap before the rugby match to protect himself from injury.
The coach reminded the players to bring their jock straps to practice.
Jock straps are designed to give support during physical activity.
Word forms
| plural | jock straps |
|---|
Common combinations
- wear a jock strap
- Athletes often wear a jock strap for extra support.
- put on a jock strap
- He put on a jock strap before the game.
- a jock strap for sports
- You can buy a jock strap for sports at most sports shops.
Synonyms and how they differ
- athletic supporter
- A more formal and slightly old-fashioned term for the same item, often used in product descriptions.
- cup
- In sports, a 'cup' is a hard protective shell worn inside a jock strap; it does not mean the strap itself.
Commonly confused: jock strap or jock?
jock strap vs jock
'Jock' is an informal word for an athlete or a Scottish man, while a 'jock strap' is the piece of underwear.
Practice
When would a man typically wear a jock strap?
Choose one answer.
A jock strap is worn for support and protection during sports or exercise. The other options do not involve the kind of physical activity it is designed for.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “jock strap”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.