don a suit

USAGE SUMMARY

"Don a suit" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of putting on formal clothing for a special occasion, typically a suit and tie. For example, "John always takes the time to don a suit for special occasions, even though he's more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And while eBay is based in California, where jeans are often considered business attire, the Timbuk2 still looks sharp if he has to don a suit, Mr. Marks said.

The New York Times

That's why, for example, the biblical David a shepherd refused to don a suit of armor and bronze helmet before fighting Goliath.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I won't don a skin suit ever again," she said after the race.

The Guardian - Sport

In his military uniform, he wore an eye patch, but not when he donned a suit for his civilian portrait.

The New York Times

He was the only member of the New England squad donning a suit when they arrived at Heathrow on Thursday night.

Independent

On stage, Whitfield Diffie, the godfather of modern encryption donning a suit and long, groomed white hair, chimed in sternly.

The Guardian - Tech

Dominic, 28, donned a suit and handed in his CV at several universities before being offered a job.

The Guardian

As "Sir Gary," he hosted tournaments, in which he donned a suit of armor and competed in jousting events.

The New Yorker

Although he was not wearing a double-breasted suit when the police arrived, Metesky asked to change before his arrest and donned a suit matching the profile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After plotting my subway route and donning a suit bought earlier that day, I set out for my first foray into the "real" Brooklyn.

The New York Times

He put together a detailed sales package, donned a suit and hit the streets, approaching 80 local businesses over several months.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "don a suit" when you want to emphasize the act of putting on a formal suit, especially in contexts where the action itself is noteworthy. For example, "He decided to "don a suit" for the important business meeting, even though the company culture was generally casual."

Common error

Avoid using "don a suit" in everyday casual conversation. It's generally better to use simpler phrases like "put on a suit" or "wear a suit" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don a suit" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of putting on a suit. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. The examples show it is used to describe the act of wearing formal attire.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "don a suit" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of putting on a suit. According to Ludwig, it is a correct expression. While it's not incorrect, it's less common than simpler alternatives like "put on a suit" or "wear a suit". The phrase is most often found in news and media contexts. Although understood, "don a suit" might sound slightly formal in casual conversations. Using more common synonyms in daily speech could be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on a suit

More common and straightforward way to express the action of wearing a suit.

wear a suit

Focuses on the state of wearing the suit rather than the act of putting it on.

get into a suit

Suggests a process of changing into a suit, possibly with some effort.

suit up

Informal and concise way to say someone is putting on a suit, often implying preparation for a formal event.

dress in a suit

Emphasizes the style and formality of wearing a suit.

sport a suit

Suggests wearing a suit in a stylish or fashionable manner.

throw on a suit

Implies putting on a suit quickly and casually.

slip into a suit

Similar to 'throw on' but with a slightly more elegant connotation.

garb oneself in a suit

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to say someone is putting on a suit.

apparel in a suit

Very formal and emphasizes the attire.

FAQs

What does "don a suit" mean?

The phrase "don a suit" means to put on or wear a suit. It usually implies dressing formally for a specific occasion or event.

Is it better to say "don a suit" or "wear a suit"?

"Wear a suit" is more common and generally appropriate for most situations. "Don a suit" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the action of putting the suit on. You can use alternatives like "put on a suit".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "don a suit"?

It's appropriate to use "don a suit" when you want to highlight the act of dressing formally, especially if it's unexpected or significant in the given context. For example, "He doesn't usually wear formal clothes, but he decided to "don a suit" for the awards ceremony".

What are some alternatives to "don a suit"?

Some alternatives to "don a suit" include "put on a suit", "wear a suit", "get into a suit", or simply "suit up".