Word
petticoat
Phoneticspet·ti·coat, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɛtiˌkoʊt/
UK/pˈɛtɪkˌəʊt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a light skirt you wear under a dress or a long skirt to make it look fuller or to keep it from touching your legs.
n. a women's underskirt worn beneath a dress or outer skirt to add fullness, warmth, or modesty. Typically made of light fabric and extending from the waist to below the knee.
Examples
“She wears a white petticoat under her wedding dress.”
“The dancer lifted her skirt slightly to show the lace edge of her petticoat during the folk performance.”
“In the museum display, a petticoat with layers of stiff cotton revealed how much hidden work went into the wide shape of nineteenth-century dresses.”
Examples
simple
“She wears a white petticoat under her wedding dress.”
contextual
“The dancer lifted her skirt slightly to show the lace edge of her petticoat during the folk performance.”
complex
“In the museum display, a petticoat with layers of stiff cotton revealed how much hidden work went into the wide shape of nineteenth-century dresses.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “petticoat” in context.
Verb
01. lift petticoat
“She had to lift her petticoat slightly to climb the muddy steps.”
verb + noun
02. petticoat rustles
“Her petticoat rustled softly as she moved across the ballroom.”
noun + verb
03. petticoat shows
“Her petticoat showed briefly beneath the hem as she sat down.”
noun + verb
04. petticoat swishes
“Her petticoat swished with every step she took on stage.”
noun + verb
05. remove petticoat
“She decided to remove the petticoat because the dress felt too bulky.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. lace petticoat
“She wore a white dress with a delicate lace petticoat underneath.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. hem of petticoat
“A strip of lace trimmed the hem of her petticoat.”
noun + prep + noun
08. layer of petticoat
“Each layer of petticoat added more volume to the costume.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a glimpse of petticoat
“As she twirled, the audience caught a glimpse of petticoat lace.”
10. a starched victorian petticoat
“The actress wore a starched Victorian petticoat for the period drama.”
11. layers of stiff petticoat
“The skirt was supported by layers of stiff petticoat underneath.”
12. lift her petticoat to run
“She had to lift her petticoat to run for the train.”
Etymology
From Middle English petticote, petycote, peticote, petite cote, equivalent to petty + coat.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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