1
a
: a long loose overgarment that resembles a shirt or smock and is worn especially by workmen, artists, and peasants
b
: the jacket of a uniform
2
: a usually loose-fitting garment especially for women that covers the body from the neck to the waist
bloused; blousing

intransitive verb

: to fall in a fold
coats that blouse above the hip

transitive verb

: to cause to blouse

Examples of blouse in a Sentence

Noun She wore a blouse and a skirt to work.
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.
Noun
Style this maxi skirt with a dressy blouse, tights, and tall boots for a cute date night ensemble, or dress it down with a sweater and sneakers for more low-key days. Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026 To mix things up, try out this striped blouse, which is designed with smocked cuffs that add a unique touch to the otherwise traditional top. Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
Wear a simple tee or a ruffly blouse underneath, tucked into the trousers and secured with a thin belt. Dino Bonačić, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026 The high neckline, short sleeves, bloused top, pockets, and waist tie offer a more casual vibe — however, the variety of floral, striped, and polkadot prints add a bit of formality. Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for blouse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1894, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of blouse was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blouse. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

blouse

noun
ˈblau̇s
also ˈblau̇z
1
: a loose outer garment like a shirt or smock varying from hip-length to calf-length
2
: a usually loose-fitting garment especially for women covering the body from the neck to the waist
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