bathing-costume

A woman wears a bathing-costume at the beach.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Garment for swimming: "bathing-costume" refers to a piece of clothing worn for swimming or bathing in water, typically by women or girls. It is a specific term for a swimsuit designed for recreational or competitive water activities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She packed her bathing-costume for the beach holiday. (She brought her swimsuit for the seaside trip.)
  • The store sells a variety of bathing-costumes in different colors and styles. (The shop offers many types of swimwear.)

Advanced Usage

• "bathing-costume" in historical or formal contexts: The term is sometimes used in more formal or older English to distinguish swimwear from casual clothing, especially in descriptions of vintage fashion or etiquette.

  • In the 1920s, a woman's bathing-costume was often a one-piece wool garment. (Historical swimwear was made of heavy fabric.)

• "bathing-costume" as a synonym for "swimsuit": While less common in everyday speech today, it remains a precise term for any garment worn while swimming.

  • The hotel requires guests to wear a proper bathing-costume in the pool. (A suitable swimsuit is mandatory.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bathing-suit (n): a more common modern synonym for "bathing-costume", especially in American English.

  • She bought a new bathing-suit for the summer. (She purchased a swimsuit.)

• Swimsuit (n): the most common term for a garment worn for swimming.

  • He wore a swimsuit to the lake. (He wore a swimming garment.)

• Bathing-trunks (n, plural): a term for men's swimwear, typically short pants.

  • He packed his bathing-trunks for the trip. (He brought his men's swim shorts.)

Synonyms

• Swimwear: clothing designed for swimming.
• Bikini: a two-piece bathing-costume for women.
• One-piece: a single-piece bathing-costume for women.

Related Idioms

• "To be in one's bathing-costume": to be wearing a swimsuit, often implying readiness for water activities.

  • The children were already in their bathing-costumes, running towards the sea. (They were dressed for swimming.)

• "To change into a bathing-costume": to put on swimwear before entering water.

  • We need to change into our bathing-costumes before going to the pool. (We must put on swimsuits.)