noun
girdle
GURDL
Girdle (noun) means a belt or band worn around the waist, especially one that supports stockings. Example: “She wore an old-fashioned girdle under her dress.”
noun
1
A belt or band worn around the waist, especially one that supports stockings.
"She wore an old-fashioned girdle under her dress."
"The girdle held her stockings snugly in place."
2
A tight, shaping undergarment worn to slim the waist, hips, or thighs.
"The dancer squeezed into a girdle before the show."
verb
1
To encircle or bind something tightly around, as with a belt.
"A low stone wall girdles the old churchyard."
2
(of a tree) To cut a ring of bark from the trunk, usually to kill it.
"Beavers had girdled several young trees near the pond."
How to use girdle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA belt-like band around the waist — either a piece of clothing or the act of encircling something tightly.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "girdle" the diamond term (the widest edge of a cut gem) — same word, very different context.
Common pairings
wear a girdle
girdle a tree
girdle the waist
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Word forms
- Plural
- girdles
- Third person singular
- girdles
- Past tense
- girdled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore an old-fashioned _____ under her dress.
Etymology
From Old English gyrdel, related to gird ("to bind"); the same Germanic root gives German Gürtel ("belt").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “girdle” mean?
The word “girdle” means a belt or band worn around the waist, especially one that supports stockings. In plain terms, a belt-like band around the waist — either a piece of clothing or the act of encircling something tightly.
How do you pronounce “girdle”?
“Girdle” is pronounced GURDL (/ˈɡɝdl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “girdle” in a sentence?
Here is “girdle” used in a sentence: “She wore an old-fashioned girdle under her dress.”
What part of speech is “girdle”?
Depending on how it is used, “girdle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “girdle” come from?
The word “girdle” comes from Old English. From Old English gyrdel, related to gird ("to bind"); the same Germanic root gives German Gürtel ("belt").
How many meanings does “girdle” have?
“Girdle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a belt or band worn around the waist, especially one that supports stockings.
