The term 'sweater' is a catch-all for a variety of knit garments. Types and design 'Hot dog' Sweater Turtleneck sweater most British dictionaries consider 'sweater' – and at least one considers 'jumper' – to be a hypernym for both pullovers and cardigans). Almost all British dictionaries include cardigans as a type of sweater but at least one includes cardigans as a type of jumper (i.e. Hence a similar garment for general informal wear a jumper or pullover' Īccording to most British dictionaries, British usage agrees with what American dictionaries describe as American English usage, according to which a sweater is either a pullover or a cardigan (which opens at the front). to reduce one's weight now commonly put on also before or after exercise to prevent taking cold. The Oxford English Dictionary gives 'sweater' as appearing in 1882 and gives its definition as 'A woolen vest or jersey worn in rowing or other athletic exercises, originally. Oxford University states that in British usage sweaters are always pulled over the head and jumpers are not necessarily, whereas most or all other British dictionaries disagree and say that sweaters are not necessarily pullovers or even say that jumpers are always pullovers, i.e. Etymology Īccording to British dictionaries, 'sweater' is used in British English in the same sense as in American English but 'jumper' is commonly used instead (though some say that 'sweater' is used for heavier ones worn for warmth). There are also seasonal sweaters, which around Christmas are often called ' ugly sweaters'. Sweaters were traditionally made from wool but can now be made of cotton, synthetic fibers, or any combination of these.

Sweaters are worn by adults and children, often over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, or another top, but sometimes next to the skin. When sleeveless, the garment is often called a slipover, tank top, or sweater vest. One from the Graham Leggate collection, a Norwegian selburose designĪ sweater ( North American English) or pullover, also called a jersey or jumper ( British English and Australian English), is a piece of clothing, typically with long sleeves, made of knitted or crocheted material that covers the upper part of the body.

For other uses, see Sweater (disambiguation).

Skin jumper