tutu

/tʌt'tʌt/

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The word "tutu" has a couple of different meanings, and I'll explain both of them for you!

Basic Definition:

1. Tutu (noun): A very short skirt that is often made of tulle or a similar light fabric. It is typically worn by ballerinas during performances. The tutu is usually fluffy and can be seen in many ballet dances.

2. Tutu (proper noun): This refers to Desmond Tutu, a famous South African bishop and social rights activist known for his work against apartheid. He was born in 1931 and is celebrated for his leadership and commitment to justice and equality.

Usage Instructions:

• When using "tutu" to refer to the skirt, you can say things like "She wore a beautiful tutu for her ballet performance."
• When referring to Desmond Tutu, you might say, "Desmond Tutu fought for equality in South Africa."

Examples:

• Skirt usage: "The little girl danced gracefully in her pink tutu."
• Proper noun usage: "Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end apartheid."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter phrases like "tutu skirt" or "ballet tutu" to specify the type of tutu being discussed.
• In discussions about fashion, you might hear "tutu" used metaphorically to describe any short, flared skirt.

Word Variants:

• Tutus (plural): When referring to more than one tutu, you simply add an "s" at the end. For example, "The dancers all wore colorful tutus."

Different Meanings:

• The primary meanings of "tutu" are the ballet skirt and the name of the activist. There aren’t many other meanings, but the context will help clarify which one is being used.

Synonyms:

• For the tutu (skirt), you might use: "ballet skirt," "fluffy skirt," or "dance costume" in some contexts.
• For Desmond Tutu, there are no direct synonyms since it is a specific name.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "tutu." It is mostly used in straightforward contexts related to ballet or discussions about Desmond Tutu.

Summary:

In conclusion, "tutu" can refer to a type of short skirt worn by dancers or to a prominent figure in South African history.

Academic

Noun

1. very short skirt worn by ballerinas
2. South African prelate and leader of the antiapartheid struggle (born in 1931)

Synonyms

• ballet skirt
• Tutu
• Desmond Tutu