snug fit as a positive meaning

JungKim

Senior Member
Korean
When you try on a jacket, can you say "It's snug" to mean that it fits perfectly?
Or does it always mean that it's tight?
 
  • Barque

    Banned
    Tamil
    Something that fits snugly is close-fitting, without being too tight. In your sentence, I suppose you could say "It's snug" in your situation, provided it's close-fitting.
     

    JungKim

    Senior Member
    Korean
    But you could also be saying "It's snug" to mean that it's tight enough to go up one size, right?
     

    Uncle Jack

    Senior Member
    British English
    It depends what you are looking for. With some clothes you may be looking for a loose fit, so to find somthing that is a snug fit means you want to go up a size. For another garment a snug fit is exactly right.
    'Snug fit' is sometimes used for 'tight fit', but the usual meaning is generally positive.
     

    Barque

    Banned
    Tamil
    But you could also be saying "It's snug" to mean that it's tight enough to go up one size, right?
    I wouldn't use "snug" that way.

    snug (WR dictionary): fitting closely or tightly, such as a piece of clothing: a snug sweater.

    The usual impression that "snug-fitting" conveys is a close but comfortable fit.
     

    dojibear

    Senior Member
    English (US - northeast)
    When you try on a jacket, can you say "It's snug" to mean that it fits perfectly?
    Or does it always mean that it's tight?

    It does not mean either of those. Use "snug" to describe the fit, but not to say it fits well or poorly. "Snug" does not mean "too tight". It also does not mean "tight but not too tight".

    In other words, "snug" is not a good/bad value judgement about the fit.

    Some people, for some garments, want a "snug fit". With other garments, some people want a "loose fit". It is often an individual choice. I hate T-shirts that are tight (snug) on me, while other people like their T-shirts to be tight. I am the same about sweaters.
     
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