jersey
- 1A shirt that a sports player wears, often with their name, number, and team logo.
My little brother sleeps in his favorite player's jersey.
The team got new jerseys for the season.
UsagePeople often put a name or number before it: a number 23 jersey.
Similarshirt
Note
- 2A short name for New Jersey, a state in the US.
My cousins live in South Jersey, near the beach.
We drove down to Jersey for the weekend.
UsageAlone, Jersey is casual. In formal writing, use New Jersey, but North Jersey and South Jersey are fine.
Note
- 3A kind of cloth made by knitting.
Her new dress is made of soft jersey.
Jersey is easy to wear because it stretches a little.
UsageOften with the kind of thread before it or the clothes after it: cotton jersey, a jersey dress.
- 4The biggest of the Channel Islands, in the sea between England and France.
Jersey lies close to France, but it belongs to the British Crown.
My grandmother was born on Jersey and still visits every year.
UsageAmericans often hear Jersey as New Jersey, so say the island of Jersey to be clear.
Note
Less common meanings
- 5A piece of clothing knitted from wool that covers the top part of your body.
Grandma knitted me a blue jersey for my birthday.
He pulled a thick jersey over his shirt before going out on the boat.
UsageIt means about the same as sweater. Say wool jersey if people might think of a sports shirt.
Similarsweater, jumper, pullover
Note
- 6A kind of dairy cow that first came from the island of Jersey.
The Jersey is a small brown cow that gives creamy milk.
The farm keeps Jersey cattle for its cheese.
UsageUsually starts with a capital letter: a Jersey cow.
- 7A title of English nobility, held by the Earl of Jersey.
Showing meanings only.
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Origins
From the old name Gersey. It probably comes from Old Norse words meaning "Geirr's island."
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Gersey is an older form of the name Jersey. en.wikipedia.org
- The name probably derives from Old Norse elements meaning Geirr's island. en.wikipedia.org
Named after the island of Jersey, known for its fishermen's knitted sweaters.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The word jersey is named after the island of Jersey. vam.ac.uk
- Jersey is associated with traditional fishermen's knitted sweaters. en.wiktionary.org