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

The dress, from the line’s Fall 2025 Couture collection, featured a white corset bodice. —Tara Larson, Footwear News, 21 Dec. 2025

Paltrow, 53, wore a sophisticated black ensemble that included a black velvet bodice that featured a boat neckline and an oversized bow on one shoulder. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

Memphis students inspired by Victoria Beckham, Vera Wang for their Taylor Swift wedding dress visions The first class created a dress with a sweetheart neckline bodice, modeled after a design by fashion designer and Spice Girls alumna, Victoria Beckham. —Brooke Muckerman, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

And the bodice is a red velvet. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 12 Dec. 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