Meaning & use
suspenders
Last updated
Meanings
nounpluralAmerican
Straps worn over the shoulders to hold up a pair of trousers.
Grammar: Always plural: you say 'a pair of suspenders' or 'suspenders are', not 'a suspender is'.
Patterns
- wear suspenders
- a pair of suspenders
- suspenders and a bow tie
He wore suspenders to keep his trousers from falling down.
The old man had bright red suspenders over a white shirt.
She bought him a pair of leather suspenders for his birthday.
nounpluralBritish
In British English, a piece of underwear with straps that hold up stockings.
Grammar: Also plural, but this meaning is mainly British and refers to women's underwear.
Patterns
- a pair of suspenders
- wear suspenders
In the UK, 'suspenders' often means a garter belt worn with stockings.
She bought a pair of black suspenders to go with her dress.
Common combinations
- wear suspenders
- He prefers to wear suspenders instead of a belt.
- a pair of suspenders
- I need to buy a pair of suspenders for my new suit.
- clip-on suspenders
- These clip-on suspenders are easy to attach to any trousers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- braces
- This is the usual British word for the American 'suspenders' (trouser straps); in American English, 'braces' usually means something that supports teeth.
Commonly confused: suspenders or braces?
suspenders vs braces
In the UK, 'braces' are what Americans call suspenders. In the US, 'braces' are for straightening teeth, so the two words can cause confusion.
Practice
In American English, what are 'suspenders'?
Choose one answer.
In American English, suspenders are shoulder straps for holding up trousers. Option A describes the British meaning, option C describes garters, and option D is a belt, which is different.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “suspenders”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.