Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • A type of loose-fitting underpants or knickers worn by women, typically gathered at the knee or calf: Historically, bloomers were a form of women's undergarment, often associated with modesty and a specific style of dress.
   • (Historical) A style of women's clothing consisting of a short skirt over loose trousers gathered at the ankle: This term also refers to a full outfit popularized in the 19th century as part of a movement for more rational and comfortable dress for women.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the Victorian era, women wore bloomers under their heavy skirts.
  • The early feminist Amelia Bloomer advocated for clothing reform, promoting the wearing of bloomers.

Advanced Usage

• "To be caught with one's bloomers down": An idiom meaning to be caught in an embarrassing or unprepared situation (a variation on "caught with one's pants down").
  • The politician was caught with her bloomers down when the old scandal resurfaced.

Variants and Related Words

• Bloomer (noun): Can refer to a person who blooms or matures, or a type of bread. This is a distinct word from the plural "bloomers."
  • He was a late bloomer in his academic career.
• Blooming (adjective/adverb): Used as an intensifier (e.g., "blooming marvelous") or to describe the process of flowering.

Synonyms

• Drawers (historical)
• Knickers (chiefly British)
• Pantaloons (historical)

Related Phrases

• A pair of bloomers: The standard phrasing when referring to the garment.
  • She packed a clean pair of bloomers for the trip.

Related Idioms

• Make a bloomer (British, informal): To make a silly mistake or blunder. This idiom derives from a different etymology related to "blunder," not directly from the garment.
  • I really made a bloomer by forgetting the client's name.

Noun

1. underpants worn by women
   • she was afraid that her bloomers might have been showing