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

Nicola altered Claudia's dress to an off-the-shoulder style with a corseted bodice. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Trompe l’oeil silhouettes merge chiffon skirts with matte jersey bodices, giving the illusion of separates in a single piece. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Nicola wore a cream dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and ruffled floral detailing on the bodice. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Designed with a classic black-and-cream color block bodice and skirt, this strapless maxi dress is an effortlessly stylish choice for formal affairs. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for bodice

• addis
• goddess

Kids Definition

bodice

noun

bod·​ice ˈbäd-əs 

: the upper part of a dress