Jacket vs. Jumper — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
A jacket is an outer garment with sleeves, open at the front. A jumper is a knitted garment pulled over the head to cover the torso.
Difference Between Jacket and Jumper
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A jacket is an article of clothing for the upper body, usually having sleeves and a fastening down the front. It is meant to be worn over other clothes for warmth or protection. On the other hand, a jumper, particularly in British English, refers to a long-sleeved, knitted garment that covers the torso and is typically worn for warmth.
Jackets come in various styles and materials, including leather for durability, denim for casual wear, and waterproof fabrics for weather protection. Jumpers are primarily made from wool or synthetic yarns and are designed to provide insulation by trapping body heat, suitable for colder climates.
The term jacket can also refer to a part of a suit, or something worn by professionals for a polished look. Jumpers are considered casual wear, often associated with comfort and ease, lacking the formality of a jacket.
Jackets are typically equipped with zippers, buttons, or snaps and may include features like pockets and collars. Jumpers are simpler, generally pulled over the head with no front opening, and often lack fasteners or complex detailing.
While jackets are a staple in most wardrobes for their versatility in fashion and function, jumpers are a go-to for informal settings where warmth and comfort are desired, without the need for additional layering pieces.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Outer garment with front opening
Knitted garment without front opening
Purpose
Warmth, protection, style
Primarily warmth
Material
Leather, denim, synthetic, etc.
Wool, cotton, synthetic yarns
Opening
Zippers, buttons, or snaps
None, pulled over the head
Formality
Ranges from casual to formal
Generally casual
Compare with Definitions
Jacket
A protective outer garment with sleeves.
He grabbed his leather jacket before heading out into the cold.
Jumper
A casual top garment that covers the torso and arms.
She knitted a blue jumper for her grandson.
Jacket
An addition to formal wear, often part of a suit.
She chose a tailored jacket for the business meeting.
Jumper
A warm, often knitted garment worn for casual comfort.
On chilly nights, a soft jumper is my go-to.
Jacket
A covering for the upper body, which may be insulated.
The skier wore a thick, padded jacket on the slopes.
Jumper
A piece of clothing typically made of wool, pulled over the head.
His favorite jumper has elbow patches for added style.
Jacket
A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips. A jacket typically has sleeves, and fastens in the front or slightly on the side.
Jumper
One that jumps.
Jacket
A short coat usually extending to the hips.
Jumper
A type of coasting sled.
Jacket
The skin of a potato.
Jumper
(Electricity) A wire or cable used temporarily to complete a circuit or to bypass a break in a circuit.
Jacket
The dust jacket of a book or phonograph record.
Jumper
(Basketball) See jump shot.
Jacket
An insulation covering for a steam pipe, wire, boiler, or similar part.
Jumper
A saddle horse that has been trained to jump over obstacles.
Jacket
An open envelope or folder for filing papers.
Jumper
A sleeveless dress or a skirt that has an attached bib and is worn over a blouse or sweater.
Jacket
The outer metal shell or case of a bullet.
Jumper
A loose, protective garment worn over other clothes.
Jacket
A piece of jewelry or other ornament that attaches to an earring stud.
Jumper
Often jumpers A child's garment consisting of straight-legged pants attached to a biblike bodice.
Jacket
To supply or cover with a jacket.
Jumper
Chiefly British A pullover sweater.
Jacket
A piece of clothing worn on the upper body outside a shirt or blouse, often waist length to thigh length.
Jumper
See jumpsuit.
Jacket
A piece of a person's suit, beside trousers and, sometimes, waistcoat; coat US
Jumper
Someone or something that jumps, e.g. a participant in a jumping event in track or skiing.
Jacket
A protective or insulating cover for an object (e.g. a book, hot water tank, bullet.)
Jumper
A person who attempts suicide by jumping from a great height.
Jacket
(slang) A police record.
Jumper
A short length of electrical conductor, to make a temporary connection. Also jump wire.
Jacket
(military) In ordnance, a strengthening band surrounding and reinforcing the tube in which the charge is fired.
Jumper
(electricity) A removable connecting pin on an electronic circuit board.
Jacket
The tough outer skin of a baked potato.
Cook the potatoes in their jackets.
Jumper
A long drilling tool used by masons and quarry workers, consisting of an iron bar with a chisel-edged steel tip at one or both ends, operated by striking it against the rock, turning it slightly with each blow.
Jacket
(Jamaica) A bastard child, in particular one whose father is unaware that they are not the child’s biological father.
Jumper
(US) A crude kind of sleigh, usually a simple box on runners which are in one piece with the poles that form the thills.
Jacket
(Appalachian) A vestUS; a waistcoat UK
Jumper
A jumping spider.
Jacket
To confine (someone) to a straitjacket.
Jumper
The larva of the cheese fly.
Jacket
(transitive) To enclose or encase in a jacket or other covering.
Jumper
One of certain Calvinistic Methodists in Wales whose worship was characterized by violent convulsions.
Jacket
A short upper garment, extending downward to the hips; a short coat without skirts.
Jumper
(horology) A spring to impel the star wheel, or a pawl to lock fast a wheel, in a repeating timepiece.
Jacket
An outer covering for anything, esp. a covering of some nonconducting material such as wood or felt, used to prevent radiation of heat, as from a steam boiler, cylinder, pipe, etc.
Jumper
(basketball) A shot in which the player releases the ball at the highest point of a jump; a jump shot.
Jacket
In ordnance, a strengthening band surrounding and reënforcing the tube in which the charge is fired.
Jumper
A nuclear power plant worker who repairs equipment in areas with extremely high levels of radiation.
Jacket
A garment resembling a waistcoat lined with cork, to serve as a life preserver; - called also cork jacket.
Jumper
(video games) A platform game based around jumping.
Jacket
To put a jacket on; to furnish, as a boiler, with a jacket.
Jumper
A woollen sweater or pullover.
Jacket
To thrash; to beat.
Jumper
A loose outer jacket, especially one worn by workers and sailors.
Jacket
A short coat
Jumper
(US) A one-piece, sleeveless dress, or a skirt with straps and a complete or partial bodice, usually worn over a blouse by women and children; pinafore.
Jacket
An outer wrapping or casing;
Phonograph records were sold in cardboard jackets
Jumper
(usually plural, jumpers) Rompers.
Jacket
(dentistry) an artificial crown fitted over a broken or decayed tooth
Jumper
(transitive) To connect with an electrical jumper.
Jacket
The outer skin of a potato
Jumper
One who, or that which, jumps.
Jacket
The tough metal shell casing for certain kinds of ammunition
Jumper
A long drilling tool used by masons and quarrymen.
Jacket
Provide with a thermally non-conducting cover;
The tubing needs to be jacketed
Jumper
A rude kind of sleigh; - usually, a simple box on runners which are in one piece with the poles that form the thills.
Jacket
Put a jacket on;
The men were jacketed
Jumper
The larva of the cheese fly. See Cheese fly, under Cheese.
Jacket
A piece of clothing worn over other clothes for warmth or protection.
The firefighter wore a flame-resistant jacket.
Jumper
A name applied in the 18th century to certain Calvinistic Methodists in Wales whose worship was characterized by violent convulsions.
Jacket
An outer garment that can be lightweight for fashion.
Her floral jacket was perfect for the spring weather.
Jumper
Spring to impel the star wheel, also a pawl to lock fast a wheel, in a repeating timepiece.
Jumper
A loose upper garment
Jumper
A sleeveless one-piece dress, either with full shoulders or straps, sometimes with only the front part of the bodice, usually worn by women with a blouse underneath.
Jumper
A thing that jumps; esp., any of various tools or other contrivances operating with a jumping motion;
Jumper
A short wire, or a small plastic object containing such a short wire, used to optionally connect or disconnect two points in an electronic circuit, so as to include or exclude portions of the circuit and thus modify the function of the circuit. Such jumpers are much used to adapt add-on circuit boards for different conditions or functions within a computer.
Jumper
To insert a jumper{2} between the two contacts in (a circuit). See 2nd jumper.
Jumper
An athlete who competes at jumping
Jumper
An athlete who bounds or leaps (as in basketball)
Jumper
A small connector used to make temporary electrical connections
Jumper
A loose jacket or blouse worn by workmen
Jumper
A sleeveless dress resembling an apron; worn over other clothing
Jumper
A player releases the basketball at the high point of a jump
Jumper
A collarless knitted garment with long sleeves.
He put on a woolen jumper to keep warm.
Jumper
A pullover sweater.
The red jumper matched her holiday spirit.
Common Curiosities
What defines a jacket?
A jacket is an upper body garment with sleeves and a front opening, used for warmth, protection, or style.
Is a jumper the same thing in American and British English?
No, in American English, a jumper often refers to a sleeveless dress worn over a blouse.
Are jackets good for layering?
Yes, jackets are ideal for layering due to their open front.
What is a jumper?
In British English, a jumper is a knitted garment worn over the head to cover the torso, typically for warmth.
Can a jacket be knitted?
While less common, there are knitted jackets, often with front fastenings.
Are there waterproof jumpers?
Waterproof jumpers are uncommon; this feature is more associated with jackets.
What is the difference between a sweater and a jumper?
In the UK, there's no difference; in the US, sweaters can include cardigans, which open at the front.
What seasons are jumpers for?
Jumpers are typically worn in fall and winter for warmth.
Can jackets be worn for formal occasions?
Yes, certain jackets, like blazers, are designed for formal occasions.
Are jumpers considered formal wear?
Jumpers are generally not considered formal; they're more for casual wear.
Do all jackets have fasteners?
Most jackets have fasteners like zippers or buttons, but some may not.
How do you care for jackets?
Care depends on the material, ranging from machine wash to professional cleaning.
How do you care for jumpers?
Most jumpers are best washed gently or by hand to prevent shrinkage.
Do jumpers have hoods?
Some jumpers may have hoods, but it's not typical.
Can jackets be sleeveless?
Yes, sleeveless jackets, such as vests, are popular.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
