What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tabard
Example
The knight wore a tabard with his family's coat of arms on it. [tabard: noun]
Example
The priest donned his tabard before the service began. [tabard: noun]
Example
The fencer put on his tabard to protect himself during practice. [tabard: noun]
surcoat
Example
The knight wore a surcoat over his armor to display his heraldry. [surcoat: noun]
Example
The queen's surcoat was made of richly embroidered silk. [surcoat: noun]
Example
The soldier put on his surcoat as part of his dress uniform. [surcoat: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surcoat is less common than tabard in everyday language, as it is more associated with historical contexts. Tabard is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, including sports and religion.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tabard and surcoat?
Neither tabard nor surcoat are particularly formal or informal, but surcoat may be more associated with historical or ceremonial contexts, giving it a slightly more formal connotation.
