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Meaning & use

to suit

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/tə ˈsuːt/
US/tə ˈsuːt/

Meanings

  1. phrasetransitive

    To make someone look good or feel comfortable, especially clothes or colors.

    Grammar: Takes an object naming the person: That dress really suits you.

    Patterns

    • suit someone
    • something suits someone

    That blue jacket really suits you.

    Short hair suits her better than long hair.

    Dark colors suit most people in winter.

  2. phrasetransitive

    To be convenient or acceptable for someone; to fit their plans or needs.

    Grammar: Takes an object; common in questions about time: Does Friday suit you?

    Patterns

    • suit someone
    • suit someone's needs
    • it suits someone to do something

    Would next Monday suit you for the meeting?

    The early flight doesn't suit me, so I'll take the later one.

    It suits him to work from home when the weather is bad.

  3. phrasetransitive

    To be right or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.

    Grammar: Often used with a thing as the object: The room suits a small party.

    Patterns

    • suit a purpose
    • suit the occasion
    • suit a situation

    This plain design suits the occasion perfectly.

    The old barn now suits a new purpose as a studio.

    A light meal would suit the hot weather.

Common combinations

suit someone's needs
We can change the plan to suit your needs.
suit someone down to the ground
A quiet weekend would suit me down to the ground.
suit the occasion
That bright tie doesn't suit the occasion.
suit you fine
Tuesday at ten would suit me fine.
whatever suits you
We can meet at noon or later, whatever suits you.

Synonyms and how they differ

fit
Use fit when something is the right size or shape; use suit when it looks good or is convenient.
match
Match means to go well with something in color or style, while suit focuses on the person or purpose.
become
In older or literary British English, become means to look good on someone; suit is the everyday modern choice.

Opposites

clash

Word family

suitable adjective
right or appropriate for a purpose
suited adjective
having the right qualities for a job or situation
suitability noun
the quality of being right for a purpose

Commonly confused: to suit or suite?

to suit vs suite

A suite is a set of rooms or furniture and sounds the same as sweet, not the same as suit.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'suit' most naturally when talking about time?

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