a garment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a garment" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use "garment" to refer to any type of item of clothing, such as a shirt, dress, coat, etc. For example, "She was wearing a white garment" or "The shop sells many fashionable garments".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. A garment, Vulg.

Harvard University

A garment bag hung over the piano.

The New York Times - Magazine

His father was a garment worker.

The New York Times

I have obtained a garment.

The Guardian - Film

Did you try on a garment?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My mother worked in a garment factory.

The Guardian - Opinion

We needed  a garment that felt a bit "can-do".

Independent

He worked as a garment cutter in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Multilateralism works best as a garment clothing American leadership.

The New York Times

Clive Doyle's mother worked in a garment factory.

The New Yorker

'Tis a garment that suits thy body well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a garment" when referring to a general piece of clothing, especially when the specific type isn't important or known. This avoids being overly specific while maintaining clarity.

Common error

While technically correct, using "a garment" repeatedly in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for more common terms like "clothes", "outfit", or the specific item (e.g., "shirt", "dress") to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a garment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "a" is an article specifying a single, unspecified piece of clothing. Ludwig indicates that this term is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a garment" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to refer to a single item of clothing in a general sense and appears most commonly in news and media, academic writing, and wiki sources. While versatile, it might sound slightly formal in very casual contexts, where more specific or colloquial terms could be preferred. When writing, it's a good practice to use it when you need to talk about clothing in a non-specific way, while avoiding overuse in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an article of clothing

Replaces "garment" with a more descriptive phrase, specifying the item as something worn.

a clothing item

Uses simpler language to express the same meaning as "a garment".

an item of apparel

Uses the word "apparel" which is a synonym for clothing, making the phrase more formal.

a piece of attire

Substitutes "garment" with "attire", suggesting a more formal or specialized type of clothing.

an outfit

Denotes a set of clothing items worn together, similar to "a garment" but implies a complete ensemble.

a dress

Replaces "garment" with a specific type of clothing.

a suit

Another specific example of a type of "garment", referring to a set of clothes worn together.

a coat

Similar to "dress" and "suit", this is a specific type of "garment" worn as outerwear.

a costume

Implies a specialized "garment" worn for a specific occasion or performance.

a uniform

Refers to a specific type of "garment" worn to indicate membership or role.

FAQs

How can I use "a garment" in a sentence?

You can use "a garment" to refer to any item of clothing. For example, "She selected "a garment" suitable for the occasion" or "The factory produces various types of "a garment"".

What's the difference between "a garment" and "clothing"?

"Clothing" is a general term referring to items worn to cover the body, while ""a garment"" refers to a single item of clothing. "Clothing" is a collective noun.

What can I say instead of ""a garment""?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an article of clothing", "an item of apparel", or the specific name of the item (e.g., "shirt", "dress").

Is it always appropriate to use the term ""a garment""?

While grammatically correct, ""a garment"" might sound formal in casual conversations. Consider using more common terms like "clothes" or "outfit" in informal settings.