overcoat

overcoat — noun

1. a heavy outer coat that you wear over your usual clothes in very cold weather.

1.nounB2
Definition

a heavy outer coat that you wear over your usual clothes in very cold weather.

Example

Ethan put on his overcoat before walking to the train station.

pattern: put on an overcoat

A black overcoat hung by the cafe door, still wet with snow.

Common collocations
  • black overcoat
  • wool overcoat
  • long overcoat
  • wear an overcoat
  • hang up an overcoat
Synonyms
  • coat

    a broader everyday word that can also mean shorter or lighter outer clothing

  • winter coat

    a plain modern term for a coat made for cold weather, without stressing length

  • topcoat

    often a more formal word and sometimes used for a lighter dress coat

  • greatcoat

    heavier and more old-fashioned, often linked with military style

Grammar Patterns

put on an overcoat

take off an overcoat

button up an overcoat

Usage Note

Usually refers to a longer winter coat worn over other clothes, not a short everyday jacket. Common after verbs such as 'put on', 'take off', and 'button up'.

Common Mistakes

I wore my overcoat inside the hot office all afternoon.
I took off my overcoat inside the hot office.
an overcoat is an outer layer, so you normally remove it indoors.
He packed a thin overcoat for the beach trip.
He packed a light jacket for the beach trip.
an overcoat suggests a warm outer coat for cold weather, not light holiday clothing.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Overcoat' usually means a fairly long outer coat worn over your normal clothes in cold weather. 'Coat' is the broad everyday word, so it can mean many kinds of outer clothing, including shorter styles. 'Winter coat' is plain and practical, stressing warmth more than shape or length. 'Topcoat' is often a slightly more formal word and may suggest a smarter coat worn over business clothes. 'Greatcoat' sounds heavier, older, and sometimes military. So you might grab a 'winter coat' for school, wear an 'overcoat' over a suit, or read about a soldier in a thick 'greatcoat'.

overcoat ↗coat ↗winter coattopcoatgreatcoat

Common collocations

Nouns

  • overcoat pocket
  • overcoat collar
  • overcoat button
  • overcoat rack

Phrases

  • put on an overcoat
  • take off an overcoat
  • button up an overcoat
  • hang up an overcoat

Prepositions

  • in an overcoat
  • over an overcoat

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchEnglish

Built in English from 'over' and 'coat'. The name is literal: it describes a coat worn over your other clothes. 'Over' comes from Old English, while 'coat' entered English through Old French from an older Germanic source.