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Definition of suspenders

suspenders

/səˈspɛn.dɚz/
sus · pen · ders
Plural:suspenders
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suspenders Lexical Profile

suspenders Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A pair of straps passed over the shoulders and fastened to the waistband of trousers or a skirt to hold it up.

Example

"He wore a crisp white shirt, dark trousers, and a pair of red suspenders instead of a belt."

2

British An elastic strap attached to a belt or corset used to hold up a stocking.

Example

"The vintage silk stockings were held securely in place by a lace belt and suspenders."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for suspenders

Word Nuance & Usage

In North American English, 'suspenders' refers to shoulder straps used to hold up trousers (known as 'braces' in the UK). Conversely, in British English, 'suspenders' refers to attachments used to hold up stockings (typically called 'garters' in the US).

• Nearby Words

suspend
suspender
suspendered
suspenders
suspense
suspenseful
suspensefully

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb 'suspend' (from Latin 'suspendere', meaning 'to hang') combined with the agent suffix '-er'. The term was first used in the late 18th century to describe garment straps designed to hold up clothing.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Suspenders. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/suspenders
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