bodice

noun

bod·​ice ˈbä-dəs 

1

: the upper part of a woman's dress

2

archaic : corset, stays

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The Fashionable History of Bodice

The term bodice is derived from body. One sense of the word body is “the part of a garment covering the body or trunk.” In the 17th and 18th centuries a woman’s corset was often called a “pair of bodies.” The plural bodies, or bodice, was eventually interpreted as a singular. Bodice is now most often used to refer to the upper part of a woman’s dress.

Learn more about bodice history

Examples of bodice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bindi wore a baby pink dress with flowers on the bodice, matching her daughter Grace's mini version. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

The long-sleeve dress included sartorial references to military dress, with a sharp collar and embroidery on the bodice, finished with delicate black tassels. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

The gems dangled from Fox's lace-up bodice, which featured scarlet boning and a sweetheart neckline. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025

The cream gown is embellished with ruffles galore—tracing the contours of the bodice and skirt, not to mention its diaphanous frilly sleeves. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of bodies, plural of body entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bodice

• bodice ripper

Rhymes for bodice

• addis
• goddess

Kids Definition

bodice

noun

bod·​ice ˈbäd-əs 

: the upper part of a dress