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The Fashionable History of Bodice
The term bodice is derived from body. One sense of the word body is “the part of a garment covering the body or trunk.” In the 17th and 18th centuries a woman’s corset was often called a “pair of bodies.” The plural bodies, or bodice, was eventually interpreted as a singular. Bodice is now most often used to refer to the upper part of a woman’s dress.
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Examples of bodice in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Marchesa cofounder wore a dress with a black bodice and white skirt, featuring a plunging neckline in black and drop-waist silhouette.
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Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
The singer wore a black dress with a velvet off-the-shoulder bodice with a sheer panel around the shoulders and a sheer skirt.
07 of 12
JoJo Siwa
JoJo Siwa ditched her usual over-the-top style for a simple navy suit by Gucci.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Plus, the dress features an A-line bodice, wrap design, and a ruffle hem bottom tier for an effortless yet sophisticated style.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
The look featured a sweetheart neckline and contrasting fabric from the bust to the bodice and A-line skirt of the frock.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bodice
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Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
The singer wore a black dress with a velvet off-the-shoulder bodice with a sheer panel around the shoulders and a sheer skirt.
07 of 12
JoJo Siwa
JoJo Siwa ditched her usual over-the-top style for a simple navy suit by Gucci.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Plus, the dress features an A-line bodice, wrap design, and a ruffle hem bottom tier for an effortless yet sophisticated style.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025
The look featured a sweetheart neckline and contrasting fabric from the bust to the bodice and A-line skirt of the frock.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bodice
Cite this Entry
“Bodice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodice. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bodice
noun
bod·ice
ˈbäd-əs 
: the upper part of a dress
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