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

King donned a dark-wash denim dress with a zip-up bodice layered over a tan turtleneck. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026

My mom has an eye for detail, and this button-down jumpsuit has that trending gingham print, a waist-cinching corset bodice, and pleats for extra sophistication. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026

For that event, Hailey wore a black column dress with jeweled and beaded embellishments on the sweetheart bodice. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

The sleeveless dress, designed by Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon as part of the fashion house's pre-fall 2026 collection, featured a plunging halter neckline, fitted ruched bodice and full midi-length skirt. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

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