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
Edgar-Jones’s blouse featured gold buttons running down the front placket, creating a tailored effect that even evoked the type of white shifts men wore during England’s Regency era. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 Despite their looser fit, these jeans are structured enough to pair with blouses, oversized shirts, bulky sweaters, and other roomy tops without looking messy or unpolished. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 22 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 27 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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