Word
strapless
Phoneticsstrap·less
UK/stɹˈæpləs/
Definition
n. a piece of clothing, like a dress or a bra, that does not have any straps to hold it up. It stays in place by the weight of the fabric or by a band around the body.
n. a garment or undergarment lacking shoulder straps for support. Often used to describe styles that rely on a wide band or the weight of the fabric to remain in place.
Examples
“She wore a beautiful strapless dress to the wedding.”
“The designer created a collection of strapless evening gowns that relied on intricate beading to keep the fabric secure.”
“While strapless styles were once considered too revealing for formal occasions, they have since become a staple of modern evening wear, often paired with a matching bra for added support.”
Examples
simple
“She wore a beautiful strapless dress to the wedding.”
contextual
“The designer created a collection of strapless evening gowns that relied on intricate beading to keep the fabric secure.”
complex
“While strapless styles were once considered too revealing for formal occasions, they have since become a staple of modern evening wear, often paired with a matching bra for added support.”
Real-World Examples
“The late Princess of Wales wore the strapless black silk evening dress to a party in London hours after her then-estranged husband Prince Charles admitted to committing adultery during their marriage.” Etymology
From strap + -less. The noun sense is by analogy of strap-on.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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