bodice

noun

bod·​ice ˈbä-dəs 

1

: the upper part of a woman's dress

2

archaic : corset, stays

Did you know?

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

For the occasion, Lopez stepped out in a sculptural Harris Reed gown with a spider-like bodice from the designer's spring 2026 collection. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

Kardashian wore a skin-tight white dress with a halter bodice for the event. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

The dress included touches of florals throughout, including on the asymmetrical bodice and long train. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025

The dress featured a collared neckline lined with white fur, which also lined the bottom of both sleeves, in addition to a row of bows which go down the bodice. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 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