petticoat

1 of 2

noun

pet·​ti·​coat ˈpe-tē-ˌkōt 

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

ˈpe-tē-ˌkō-təd 

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

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

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

Kids Definition

petticoat

1 of 2 noun

pet·​ti·​coat ˈpet-ē-ˌkōt 

: 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