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
Examples of petticoat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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 
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petticoat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near petticoat
Cite this Entry
“Petticoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petticoat. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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