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

Small blue bows were added to the bodice of the dress and at the waist, cascading in bunches. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 May 2026

Hailey Bieber wore a custom Saint Laurent dress featuring a gold bodice and a blue skirt and a matching blue cape. —Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026

The dress was more like a sculpture with its impressive bodice that created a dress-within-a-dress illusion. —Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026

Colorful graduation dresses Elastic smocking hugs the bodice for a secure fit, while flutter sleeves and ruffles keep this dress cool and breezy. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 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