Suit vs Suite – What is Correct?

TL;DR – “Suit” refers to a set of clothing or being appropriate, while “Suite” denotes a group of rooms or a collection of related items/software.

“Suit” and “Suite” are homophones in the English language, meaning they sound alike but have different meanings. While they might trip up a listener during a podcast or a casual conversation, their correct usage is vital, especially in written English.

Suit:

Noun:

1. A set of garments, like a jacket with trousers or a skirt, often made from the same cloth.
   • Example: He donned a new blue suit for the business meeting.
2. A collection of things that are used or belong together.
   • Example: An astronaut’s spacesuit.
3. Legal action or the act of making a petition.
   • Example: She filed a suit against the company.
4. One of the four categories in a deck of playing cards (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades).
   • Example: The ace of spades belongs to the spade suit.

Verb:

1. To fit or work well, to be appropriate or convenient.
   • Example: The date suits both parties.
2. To enhance someone’s appearance or features.
   • Example: Bright colors suit her complexion.

Suite:

Noun:

1. A group of rooms, like in a hotel. This could be a luxurious hotel suite on the top floor, a presidential suite, or even a bedroom suite that includes a living area.
   • Example: The newlyweds stayed in a honeymoon suite.
2. A set of software applications bundled together, serving a specific purpose.
   • Example: Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of design tools.
3. A sequence of musical compositions or pieces meant to be performed together, a nod to its French origins.
   • Example: The orchestra played a suite by Debussy.
4. A collection of related items or works.
   • Example: The gallery showcased a suite of photographs from their latest posts.

In a nutshell, while “suit” often relates to clothing, cards, or being appropriate, “suite” is generally linked to sets of rooms, software packages, or musical pieces. Understanding these nuances ensures we make the right word choice in both British and American English.

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Published on: 2023-09-30
Updated on: 2023-10-06

Isaac Adams-Hands

Isaac Adams-Hands is the SEO Director at SEO North, a company that provides Search Engine Optimization services. As an SEO Professional, Isaac has considerable expertise in On-page SEO, Off-page SEO, and Technical SEO, which gives him a leg up against the competition.