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Definition of bodice
bodice
/ˈbɑː.dɪs/
bod · ice
Plural:bodices
bodice Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
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WWF
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• noun
1
The close-fitting upper part of a woman's dress, extending from the neck or shoulders down to the waist, typically distinct from the skirt and sleeves.
Example
"The wedding gown featured an intricately beaded bodice that cascaded into a wide tulle skirt."
2
A traditional woman's laced outer garment, resembling a vest, worn tightly over a blouse or dress.
Example
"For her role in the folk dance, she wore a peasant blouse underneath a dark velvet bodice."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for bodice• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century: originally a phonetic spelling of 'bodies' (plural of 'body'), retaining the older unvoiced pronunciation of the plural suffix as /s/ rather than /z/. It originally referred to a corset or a garment covering the upper body.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bodice. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bodice