petticoat

1 of 2

noun

pet·​ti·​coat ˈpe-tē-ˌkōt How to pronounce petticoat (audio)
1
: a skirt worn by women, girls, or young children: such as
a
: an outer skirt formerly worn by women and small children
b
: a fancy skirt made to show below a draped-up overskirt
c
: an underskirt usually a little shorter than outer clothing and often made with a ruffled, pleated, or lace edge
d
archaic : the skirt of a woman's riding habit
2
a
: a garment characteristic or typical of women
b
: woman
3
: something (such as a valance) resembling a petticoat
petticoated adjective

petticoat

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or exercised by women : female

Examples of petticoat 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.
Noun
The girl is not seated primly for a portrait but sprawled in the chair, her skirt revealing her petticoats. Robert Taylor, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024 Vivienne Westwood just launched its new bridal made-to-order collection featuring a voluminous tulle petticoat to pair with a chic, drop-waist ivory corset, while season standout J. Andreatta kept the fabric soft, drapey, and sweet in its Calista gown with touches of satin and lace. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2024 A couple of cute guys sported Pierrot pajamas and a slouchy golden-beige sweater over a black linen kilt; an hourglass black jacket—its waist nipped as if someone had inhaled in shock—came with stovepipe pants with scrunched hems; a downtown Degas tulle petticoat looked decidedly Black Swan-ish. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2024 This helps explain why the maidservant was subjected to multiple inspections, with a succession of witnesses rooting around beneath Hall’s skirts and petticoats for firm proof. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for petticoat 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English petycote short tunic, petticoat, from pety small + cote coat

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petticoat was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near petticoat

Cite this Entry

“Petticoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petticoat. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

petticoat

1 of 2 noun
pet·​ti·​coat ˈpet-ē-ˌkōt How to pronounce petticoat (audio)
: a skirt or slip worn under a dress or outer skirt

petticoat

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or controlled by women : female
petticoat government
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!