Belt Definition: Examples, Quotes, and Fun Facts

You may see how “belt” is used in ordinary conversation by looking at a few simple illustrations. This term is commonly observable in the discussions of clothing, outfits and dressing.

Synonyms of the “belt” will enhance both the vocabulary of the learners in costumes that constitute a waist, as well as the straps used to tighten or fix things.

Related nouns: waistband strap band

Synonyms (contextual): waist strap fastening strap

Common collocations: wear a belt tighten a belt put on a belt fasten a belt

Clear phrases with “belt” can be formed with the help of simple adjectives, common verbs, and noun connections.

With adjectives: leather belt brown belt wide belt thin belt

With verbs: wear a belt fasten a belt loosen a belt buy a belt

With nouns (noun + noun): belt buckle belt loop belt strap belt hole

The meaning of “belt” is simple and the phrases formed around the word demonstrate how colorful the English language can be.

• Belt up — to fasten your seatbelt or, informally, to be quiet.

  The teacher told the noisy students to belt up and pay attention.

• Belt out — to sing or play something loudly.

  They belted out their favorite song at the karaoke night.

• Below the belt — unfair or hurtful, usually in an argument or criticism.

  Commenting on someone’s past failures during a meeting below the belt.

• Give someone a belt — to hit someone, usually lightly or jokingly.

  John gave his little brother a belt on the shoulder for teasing him.

• Tighten someone’s belt — to spend less money or reduce expenses.

  After moving to a new city, they had to tighten their belt for a few months.

Try to define a “belt” and then test your knowledge using these short activities.

While you know the “belt” in English, it is not the same in other languages. The following are typical translations:

Belts are both practical and fashionable as well as symbolic in some unforeseen ways throughout history. The following are some of the interesting and amusing facts about them.

• Belts were symbols of status.

  In many ancient societies, like Egypt and Greece, more ornate belts (with metal, jewels, or embroidery) indicated higher social rank or wealth.

• Magic and folklore woven into belts.

  In medieval times, belts were sometimes thought to have mystical powers: for example, a “magic girdle” in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was said to protect the wearer.

• Belts evolved into fashion staples.

  The belt was not a part of everyday fashion until the early 20th century, approximately in the 1920s. It is then that trousers began to have belt loops, and belts began to be used not only as a military or functional object but as a fashion.

• Belts appear in folklore and superstition.

  Japanese soldiers were sometimes wearing senninbari belts that had been sewed 1,000 stitches by various women; they thought they offered protection during combat.

Even the simplest objects such as belts may hold more profound messages. These quotes bring out their practical and symbolic functions.