ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bikini

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //bɪˈkini// UK //bɪkˈiːni// biki·ni

n. a two-piece swimsuit for women. It usually consists of a top that covers the breasts and a bottom part that covers the pelvic area.

n. a two-piece swimsuit for women, typically consisting of a bra-like top and a separate bottom piece. Named after the Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear testing, to suggest the garment's explosive impact on fashion.


SIMPLE

She bought a new blue bikini for her summer holiday.

CONTEXTUAL

Most people at the beach were wearing bikinis or swim trunks to stay cool in the heat.

COMPLEX

The introduction of the bikini in the mid-twentieth century was initially met with significant social resistance before becoming a standard garment in global beach culture.

Synonyms
Origin

From German Bikini, the colonial name of the atoll as part of German New Guinea, and this was derived from Marshallese Pikinni.

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'wear' or 'put on'.

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