noun
petticoat
PEHT-ih-koht
Petticoat (noun) means a light underskirt worn beneath a dress or skirt to add fullness, warmth, or shape. Example: “The bride's gown flared out over layers of stiff petticoats.”
noun
1
A light underskirt worn beneath a dress or skirt to add fullness, warmth, or shape.
"The bride's gown flared out over layers of stiff petticoats."
"Grandma still keeps an old lace petticoat from her wedding day."
verb
1
To dress someone in a petticoat, or more broadly, to clothe in feminine attire.
"The costume designer petticoated the dancers for the period drama."
How to use petticoat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn underskirt worn to puff out or add shape to the skirt above it.
When to use it
Mostly used today in historical, costume, or fashion contexts rather than modern everyday dress.
Common pairings
a lace petticoat
layers of petticoats
petticoat and gown
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Word forms
- Plural
- petticoats
- Third person singular
- petticoats
- Past tense
- petticoated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bride's gown flared out over layers of stiff _____.
Etymology
From Middle English pety cote, literally a "small/petty coat" — originally a short undergarment, later the flouncy underskirt sense took over.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for petticoat
See all rhymes for petticoat →Frequently asked questions
What does “petticoat” mean?
The word “petticoat” means a light underskirt worn beneath a dress or skirt to add fullness, warmth, or shape. In plain terms, an underskirt worn to puff out or add shape to the skirt above it.
How do you pronounce “petticoat”?
“Petticoat” is pronounced PEHT-ih-koht (/ˈpɛt.ɪ.koʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “petticoat” in a sentence?
Here is “petticoat” used in a sentence: “The bride's gown flared out over layers of stiff petticoats.”
What is another word for “petticoat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “petticoat” include underskirt.
What part of speech is “petticoat”?
Depending on how it is used, “petticoat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “petticoat” come from?
The word “petticoat” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pety cote, literally a "small/petty coat" — originally a short undergarment, later the flouncy underskirt sense took over.
How many meanings does “petticoat” have?
“Petticoat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a light underskirt worn beneath a dress or skirt to add fullness, warmth, or shape.
