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Definition of pinafore

pinafore

/ˈpɪn.ə.fɔːr/
pin · a · fore
Plural:pinafores
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pinafore Lexical Profile

pinafore Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A collarless, sleeveless apron-like garment worn over a dress or blouse, originally by young girls to keep their clothes clean.

Example

"The young girl wore a crisp white pinafore over her blue gingham dress to protect it while she painted."

2

British A collarless, sleeveless dress designed to be worn over a blouse, shirt, or sweater.

Example

"For her autumn wardrobe, she bought a corduroy pinafore to wear over turtleneck sweaters."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pinafore

• Rhymes for pinafore

• Nearby Words

pimpled
pimply
pin
pinafore
pinatubo
pinball
pinboard

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century from the elements 'pin' and 'afore' (meaning 'in front'), because the early collarless apron lacked buttons or ties and was simply pinned to the front of a dress.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pinafore. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pinafore
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