waist
wayst
Waist (noun) means the narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips. Example: “The tailor measured around his waist before cutting the cloth.”
noun
1
The narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips.
"The tailor measured around his waist before cutting the cloth."
"Water came up to my waist when I walked into the lake."
"She tied the belt tightly around her waist."
2
The part of a piece of clothing that fits around the waist.
"The waist of this skirt is too tight, so I need a bigger size."
"He sewed a new button onto the waist of his jeans."
"These trousers have an elastic waist for extra comfort."
How to use waist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe narrowest part of the torso, or the part of clothing that sits there.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "waste" — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
slim waist
waist size
elastic waist
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Word forms
- Plural
- waists
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tailor measured around his _____ before cutting the cloth.
Etymology
From Old English, tracing back to a Germanic root meaning "growth" or "stature" — related to the word "wax" (as in "to wax and wane").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “waist” mean?
The word “waist” means the narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips. In plain terms, the narrowest part of the torso, or the part of clothing that sits there.
How do you pronounce “waist”?
“Waist” is pronounced wayst (/weɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “waist” in a sentence?
Here is “waist” used in a sentence: “She tied the belt tightly around her waist.”
What part of speech is “waist”?
“Waist” is a noun.
Where does the word “waist” come from?
The word “waist” comes from Old English. From Old English, tracing back to a Germanic root meaning "growth" or "stature" — related to the word "wax" (as in "to wax and wane").
Is “waist” a common word?
“Waist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “waist” have?
“Waist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips.
What is the difference between waist and waste?
"Waist" is a noun for the narrow part of the body between the ribs and hips, or the part of a garment that fits there. "Waste" is unrelated, meaning to use something carelessly or discarded material; the two are homophones often confused in writing.
What is the difference between waist and hips?
The "waist" is the narrower part of the torso between the ribs and the hips, while the hips are the wider part below it around the pelvis. In measurements, the waist is usually taken at the slimmest point and the hips at the widest.
What is the difference between waist and waistline?
"Waist" refers to the narrow part of the body itself, while "waistline" usually refers to the level or line where the waist sits, or to the seam of a garment at that point. "Waistline" is also used figuratively to talk about body weight, as in "watching your waistline."
What are common collocations with waist?
"Waist" often appears in phrases such as "waist size," "waist-deep," and "from the waist up." Clothing descriptions use "high-waisted" and "low-waisted" to show where a garment sits on the body.
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