/ suːt; NAmE ; BrE also sjuːt/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a set of clothes made of the same cloth, including a jacket and trousers / pants or a skirt :
a business suit
a pinstripe suit
a two- / three-piece suit (= of two / three pieces of clothing)
—see also dinner suit , jumpsuit , leisure suit , lounge suit , sailor suit , shell suit , sweatsuit , tracksuit , trouser suit
2.
a set of clothing worn for a particular activity :
a diving suit
a suit of armour
—see also boiler suit , spacesuit , swimsuit , wetsuit
3.
any of the four sets that form a pack / deck of cards :
The suits are called hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades.
4.
= lawsuit :
to file / bring a suit against sb
a divorce suit
—see also paternity suit
5.
[ usually pl. ] ( informal ) a person with an important job as a manager in a company or organization, especially one thought of as being mainly concerned with financial matters or as having a lot of influence
•
IDIOMS
see birthday , follow , strong
■ verb [ no passive ] (not used in the progressive tenses)
1.
to be convenient or useful for sb :
[ vn ]
Choose a computer to suit your particular needs.
If we met at 2, would that suit you?
If you want to go by bus, that suits me fine .
He can be very helpful, but only when it suits him.
[ vn to inf ]
It suits me to start work at a later time.
2.
[ vn ] ( especially of clothes, colours, etc. ) to make you look attractive :
Blue suits you. You should wear it more often.
I don't think this coat really suits me.
3.
( especially BrE ) [ vn ] (usually used in negative sentences) to be right or good for sb/sth :
This hot weather doesn't suit me.
•
IDIOMS
- suit your / sb's book
- suit sb down to the ground
- suit yourself
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- suit sth to sth/sb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French siwte , from a feminine past participle of a Romance verb based on Latin sequi follow. Early senses included attendance at a court and legal process ; senses 1 to 3 derive from an earlier meaning set of things to be used together . The verb sense make appropriate dates from the late 16th cent.