Meaning & use
outfitting
Last updated
“outfitting” is a form of “outfit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountable
The act or business of supplying someone or something with clothes or equipment for a particular purpose.
Grammar: Used as a mass noun: outfitting is expensive. It does not take a plural.
Patterns
- outfitting for something
- outfitting of someone/something
- the outfitting business
The outfitting of the expedition took three months.
She runs a small company that specializes in outfitting for polar research.
Proper outfitting is essential before you start a long hiking trip.
verbtransitive
Present participle of outfit: supplying someone or something with a set of clothes or equipment.
Grammar: Takes an object: outfitting the team. Often followed by with: outfitting them with boots.
Patterns
- outfitting someone with something
- outfitting something for something
The school is outfitting every student with a new laptop.
They are outfitting the old van for camping trips.
He spent the morning outfitting the new employees in uniforms.
Word forms
| third person singular | outfits |
|---|---|
| past tense | outfitted |
| past participle | outfitted |
| -ing form | outfitting |
Common combinations
- outfitting for
- The store is known for outfitting for extreme weather.
- outfitting with
- They are outfitting the team with new gear.
- outfitting business
- He works in the outfitting business in Alaska.
- outfitting service
- The outfitting service provides tents and sleeping bags.
Synonyms and how they differ
- equipping
- Equipping is more general and often used for tools or supplies, while outfitting usually suggests clothing or a full set of gear for a specific activity.
- supplying
- Supplying focuses on providing goods, not necessarily fitting someone out for a purpose.
- fitting out
- Fitting out is common for ships or buildings, while outfitting is more often for people or expeditions.
Word family
Commonly confused: outfitting or outfitter?
outfitting vs outfitter
An outfitter is a person or shop; outfitting is the activity or process.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'outfitting' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses 'outfitting' as a noun meaning the act of supplying equipment. Option 1 is wrong because 'outfitting' does not take 'to' that way. Option 2 is wrong because 'outfitting' is not a past tense; it should be 'outfitted'. Option 3 is wrong because 'outfitting' is not an activity you 'go' for in that sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outfitting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.