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

Later, during the Ming dynasty in China, from the 14th through 17th centuries, women wore a loose silk bodice tied at the neck and waist. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2024

For the show, The Kardashians star wore a black strapless gown with a form-fitting bodice and full sweeping skirt with matching opera gloves while sporting pink eyeshadow and a nude matt lip. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

The sleeveless look included a flowing skirt with fabric ruching near the waist and a textural element on the bodice of the dress. —Julia Teti, WWD, 30 Sep. 2024

Her elegant, floor-length gown featured boning on the bodice, a cascading, ruffled skirt, and lots of lace. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

bodice

noun

bod·​ice ˈbäd-əs 

: the upper part of a dress