overcoat

Everyday

A long, warm coat worn over other clothes in cold weather. tree →

In the lessons

In old books and pictures, gentlemen wear heavy overcoats in winter; in The Wind in the Willows, the animals bundle up in coats and mufflers, and Toad wears a motoring overcoat with goggles and cap. In everyday life, «overcoat» is a bit old-fashioned; people say coat or winter coat.

Examples

• Dad buttoned up his overcoat against the snow. tree →
• Toad put on his goggles, cap and overcoat for driving. tree →
• Hang your overcoat in the hall. tree →
• The detective wore a long grey overcoat. tree →
• It was so cold that he wore an overcoat over two jumpers. tree →
• The overcoat came down to his knees. tree →
• So I buttoned her into the breast of my overcoat, and Two Tails shuffled and stamped and growled to himself. tree →

Note

Use «an overcoat» (vowel sound). Compound of over + coat. Similar: greatcoat (army), raincoat, mac (UK), parka.