bell-bottoms

plural noun

bell-bot·​toms ˈbel-ˈbä-təmz How to pronounce bell-bottoms (audio)
Synonyms of bell-bottomsnext
: pants with wide flaring bottoms
bell-bottom adjective

Examples of bell-bottoms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That girl was Peggy Caserta, the fashion pioneer behind bell-bottom jeans. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026 When the brothers came face-to-face, each wearing a vest and medallions and bell-bottoms, the mirror image unnerved them both. Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 His costumes alone are a wonder, a series of bell-bottom jumpsuits, many of them accented with elegant high, Revolutionary War-era collars and cinched with macramé belts, their fringe swinging in time with his hips. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Feb. 2026 The bootcut shape felt reminiscent of bell-bottoms, but subtler and more modern. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bell-bottoms

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bell-bottoms was in 1904

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bell-bottoms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bell-bottoms. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

bell-bottoms

plural noun
bell-bot·​toms
ˈbel-ˈbät-əmz
: pants with legs that widen out at the bottom
bell-bottom adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bell-bottoms

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster