pullover

American  

[pool-oh-ver] / ˈpʊlˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. Also called slipover.  a garment, especially a sweater, that must be drawn over the head to be put on.

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adjective

1. designed to be put on by being drawn over the head.

pullover British  

/ ˈpʊlˌəʊvə /

noun

1. a garment, esp a sweater, that is pulled on over the head

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Etymology

Origin of pullover

First recorded in 1870–75; noun, adj. use of verb phrase pull over

Explanation

A pullover is a sweater or sweatshirt that you put on over your head. Don't forget your wool pullover — it's cold outside! You can refer to a jacket as a pullover if you put it on by pulling it over your head, rather than zipping or buttoning it up. The same goes for any other garment, no matter its materials. Pulling it on over your head makes it qualify as a pullover. Originally, a pullover was a type of shoe, and today it's still the name for a shoe prototype, a sample used by shoemakers to check the fit.

Example Sentences

There we drove along an icy gravel road that cut into the side of a hill, winding up and up until we found a pullover at which to park.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

For years, I’d eaten one after almost every figure skating practice, usually sitting in the front seat of the car still sweating through a fleece pullover.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz put a pullover over his suit; "a sign he's in it for the long haul," an EU diplomat told me.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2023

Someone could spend it all on one item, such as a quarter-zip racing team pullover, but that doesn’t cover the roughly 8% Nevada sales tax.

From Washington Times • Nov. 18, 2023

But then she ran over to Victor's shelf and stuffed a few books under, her pullover.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• tunic
• turtleneck