Meaning & use
singlets
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“singlets” is a form of “singlet”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralBritishAustralian
sleeveless tops worn as underwear or in warm weather.
Grammar: Plural of singlet: three singlets.
Patterns
- wear singlets
He packed three cotton singlets for the trip.
The singlets dried quickly on the line.
In summer the workers wore singlets and shorts.
nounpluralsport
light sleeveless tops worn by athletes, such as runners or wrestlers.
Grammar: Plural of singlet in sports.
Patterns
- team singlets
The relay team ordered matching singlets.
The wrestlers changed into their singlets before the match.
Runners wore bright singlets for the road race.
Word forms
| singular | singlet |
|---|
Common combinations
- cotton singlets
- He wears cotton singlets under his shirts.
- running singlets
- The running singlets were light and cool.
- wrestling singlets
- The club bought new wrestling singlets.
- team singlets
- The team singlets arrived this week.
- pack singlets
- Remember to pack singlets for the beach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- vests
- Vests is the standard British word for sleeveless underwear, while singlets is used in Australia and for sport.
- tank tops
- Tank tops are the American word for sleeveless shirts, a close match to singlets.
- undershirts
- Undershirts are the American term for underwear tops, sometimes with sleeves, unlike singlets.
Word family
Commonly confused: singlets or singles?
singlets vs singles
Singles are individual items or unmarried people, not clothing.
Practice
The relay runners wore matching ___ in their team colors.
Choose one answer.
Singlets are light sleeveless tops used in running. The other items are not typical running clothing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “singlets”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.