# strapless

/stɹˈæpləs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/strapless
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.