What does bodysuit mean?
A bodysuit is a close-fitting, one-piece garment that covers the torso and crotch of the wearer, usually fastened between the legs with snap closures or hooks so that it stays smoothly in place. Originally derived from garments worn by dancers and acrobats, such as leotards, the modern bodysuit became a mainstream fashion staple in the late twentieth century and remains popular today. It may be worn as underwear, as shapewear beneath other clothing, or as a visible outer layer, often paired with skirts or trousers to create a clean, untucked silhouette without bunching. Bodysuits are made from stretchy fabrics such as jersey, spandex blends, lace, or knit, and they range from simple everyday basics to elaborate evening styles. The term is used almost exclusively for women's fashion, and its association with dancewear gives it connotations of athleticism, sleekness, and form-fitting style.
nounA close-fitting one-piece garment covering the torso and crotch, typically worn by women, either as underwear or as an outer garment, fastened at the crotch with snaps or hooks.
- A close-fitting one-piece garment for the torso, worn as fashion outerwear.
- A close-fitting one-piece undergarment or shapewear item.
"She wore a black bodysuit under her high-waisted trousers."
"She tucked the flowing skirt into a sleek white bodysuit."
"The dancer rehearsed in a plain cotton bodysuit before putting on her costume."
Standard regular plural, formed by adding -s.
"The boutique stocked bodysuits in a dozen colors."
The bodysuit was popularized in the 1950s by dancer-choreographer... no — it was actually championed by designer Claire McCardell decades earlier, turning dancewear into everyday fashion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bodysuit
Bodysuit is an English compound formed from 'body' and 'suit', two words of long standing in English: 'body' derives from Old English 'bodi(g)', and 'suit' comes via Old French 'suite' from Latin 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'. The compound emerged in the twentieth century as clothing designers created one-piece torso garments adapted from dancewear like the leotard. Its transparent structure — a suit shaped to the body — makes its formation typical of modern fashion vocabulary built from familiar English elements.
Related word forms
How bodysuit is actually used
The word is neutral in register and widely used in fashion retail contexts. It is chiefly applied to women's garments, though similar men's one-piece garments exist. Plural is simply 'bodysuits'.
Easily confused with bodysuit
A leotard is a similar close-fitting one-piece garment but leaves the legs bare and is worn mainly for dance, gymnastics, or exercise, whereas a bodysuit is designed to be worn as everyday clothing or lingerie and fastens at the crotch.
A teddy is a loose-fitting lingerie item combining a camisole and briefs in one, whereas a bodysuit is close-fitting and often worn as outerwear.