Singlet: meaning, definitions and examples

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singlet

[ˈsɪŋɡlɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

sport

A singlet is a type of sleeveless shirt worn in sports such as wrestling or track and field.

Synonyms

jersey, tank top, vest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
singlet	Typically used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to a sleeveless athletic shirt worn by men, often for sports or as casual wear. He wore a bright blue singlet to the beach. The athlete donned his singlet for the race.
jersey	Commonly refers to a knitted garment, often long-sleeved, used in sports. It could also refer to a sports team shirt worn by both athletes and fans. She proudly wore her favorite player's jersey to the game. The soccer team received new jerseys this season.
tank top	A sleeveless shirt usually worn in hot weather. It's casual wear for both men and women. She chose a comfortable tank top to stay cool in the summer heat. He paired his shorts with a basic white tank top.
vest	Refers to a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt, often part of formal or business attire. In British English, it can also mean an undershirt. He completed his suit with a matching vest. In colder months, she wears a thermal vest under her clothes.

Examples of usage

The wrestler put on his singlet before the match.
She wore a singlet for her track competition.
The singlet is a common attire for wrestlers.
Many athletes prefer wearing singlets during competitions.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

clothing

In some countries, a singlet is a casual sleeveless undershirt worn under clothing.

Synonyms

tank top, undershirt, vest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
singlet	In American English, it can refer to any sleeveless shirt but is less commonly used compared to 'tank top'. He practiced wrestling in a singlet. During the heatwave, he found a singlet to be the most comfortable.
undershirt	Refers to a garment worn underneath a shirt or blouse, often for added warmth or to absorb sweat. He put on an undershirt before wearing his dress shirt. She always wears an undershirt in winter for extra warmth.
tank top	Widely used in American and British English to refer to a sleeveless shirt that can be worn casually or for sports activities. She decided to wear a tank top because it was a hot summer day. He chose a tank top for his gym workout.
vest	In American English, it refers to a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and often as part of formal wear. In British English, it's known as a waistcoat. He wore a vest over his dress shirt for the wedding. A three-piece suit includes a jacket, pants, and a vest.

Examples of usage

He wore a singlet under his shirt to stay warm.
The singlet helped absorb sweat during the hot weather.
During summer, many people opt for wearing singlets.
A plain white singlet is a basic wardrobe staple.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'singlet' comes from 'single', indicating it's a single piece of clothing.
Originally, the word was first used in the 15th century to refer to various types of undergarments.
The modern usage of 'singlet' to describe sleeveless tops became popular in the 19th century.

Fashion

Initially, singlets were used mainly as undergarments before becoming popular as active wear.
They have been widely adopted in sports, with athletes often wearing them during competitions for comfort and freedom of movement.
Design variations now include tank tops and muscle tees, which are fashion-forward adaptations of the original singlet.

Sports

In wrestling, the term 'singlet' refers specifically to the tight-fitting uniform worn by competitors.
Different colors of singlets are often used to differentiate competitors in wrestling matches.
The snug fit of a wrestling singlet is designed to prevent opponents from grabbing excess fabric.

Cultural References

Singlets have been popularized in various media, with athletes frequently depicted wearing them in films and television shows.
In Australian and New Zealand cultures, a singlet is a common casual garment, often called a 'wife beater' due to its association with working-class men.

Fun Facts

Some people also wear singlets as everyday clothing in summer due to their cool, breathable nature.
The singlet has made its way into fashion trends, with designer variations now available that mix athletic and casual styles.

Translations

Translations of the word "singlet" in other languages:

🇵🇹 camiseta regata

🇮🇳 सिंगलेट

🇩🇪 Unterhemd

🇮🇩 kaos dalam

🇺🇦 майка

🇵🇱 podkoszulek

🇯🇵 タンクトップ

🇫🇷 débardeur

🇪🇸 camiseta sin mangas

🇹🇷 atlet

🇰🇷 민소매 셔츠

🇸🇦 قميص داخلي بلا أكمام

🇨🇿 nátělník

🇸🇰 nátelník

🇨🇳 背心

🇸🇮 spodnja majica

🇮🇸 hlýrabolur

🇰🇿 майка

🇬🇪 მაისური

🇦🇿 mayka

🇲🇽 camiseta sin mangas

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,239, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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18236 slashed
18237 indentation
18238 congruence
18239 singlet
18240 diploid
18241 typified
18242 hilt
...