1
: a dress style with tight bodice, short sleeves, low neck, and gathered skirt
2
: a full skirt with a tight waistband

Examples of dirndl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The popular beer-stein holding contests — with divisions for both men and women — will be back, and there’ll also be a contest to see who wears the best dirndl and lederhosen. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 Klum wore a red and white dirndl —a traditional dress featuring a lace-up bodice and wide apron skirt. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025 The Right Clothes Tourists and locals alike don lederhosen and dirndls at Oktoberfest. Don Tse, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Wear your German lederhosen or dirndls. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirndl

Word History

Etymology

short for German Dirndlkleid, from German dialect Dirndl girl + German Kleid dress

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirndl was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dirndl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirndl. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dirndl

noun
: a full skirt with a tight waistband
Etymology

a shortened form of German Dirndlkleid, literally, "girl's dress," from Dirndl "girl" and Kleid "dress"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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