single-breasted

American  

[sing-guhl-bres-tid] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈbrɛs tɪd /

adjective

1. (of a coat, jacket, etc.) having a front closure directly in the center with only a narrow overlap secured by a single button or row of buttons.

2. (of a suit) having a jacket or coat of this type.

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single-breasted British  

adjective

1. (of a garment) having the fronts overlapping only slightly and with one row of fastenings

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Etymology

Origin of single-breasted

First recorded in 1790–1800

Compare meaning

How does single-breasted compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• double-breasted vs. single-breasted

Example Sentences

The 7-day auction, which lasts until Wednesday, features a taupe Kiton overcoat, a black Salvatore Ferragamo pea coat, a brown Brioni silk single-breasted blazer, and a multicolored hoodie with images of Brown printed on it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2024

A man would come into the store looking forgettable and then, after donning a well-cut two-button, single-breasted navy suit with a peak lapel, he would look accomplished, adept.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

He was a Black man in a hand-tailored, single-breasted suit, which wasn’t just a fashion statement.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2021

Here we have a single-breasted blazer that does not strike me as a significant update.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2016

He bought himself a brand-new single-breasted suit of brown worsted for this occasion, with a matching brown vest and a brown and yellow- flowered silk tie.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston