leotard

noun

le·​o·​tard ˈlē-ə-ˌtärd 

: a close-fitting one-piece garment worn especially by dancers, acrobats, and aerialists

also : tights

—often used in plural

leotarded

ˈlē-ə-ˌtär-dəd 

adjective

Examples of leotard in a Sentence

Our aerobics instructor wore a bright red leotard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Swapping pointe shoes and pink tights for bare feet and leotards, Graham’s idiosyncratic technique may at first seem a stretch for the Joffrey company. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

My leotard was red with a black tulle tutu held in place by Velcro, and the headband resembled a Spanish dancer’s. —Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026

Power mesh, the stretchy fabric often found in activewear, shapewear, and leotards. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 3 Feb. 2026

Tears welled in the Bruins star and Olympian’s eyes as coach Janelle McDonald embraced her, seconds before a horde of teammates in blue sequin-laden leotards swallowed Chiles into the center of their celebratory huddle. —Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Jules Léotard, †1870 French aerial gymnast

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leotard

• bodyguard
• boulevard
• disregard
• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard

Kids Definition

leotard

noun

le·​o·​tard ˈlē-ə-ˌtärd 

: a tight one-piece garment worn especially by dancers, gymnasts, and acrobats