body suit
Noun: A one-piece, form-fitting garment made from stretchy material, designed to cover the torso from the shoulders to the upper thighs or groin. It is a foundational garment often used in dance, gymnastics, and other performance or athletic contexts, where it provides coverage and allows for unrestricted movement. Some designs may include long sleeves or extend into leggings that reach the ankles.
The term "bodysuit" refers specifically to the one-piece garment itself. * It is commonly worn as a base layer for practice or performance. * It is typically fastened at the crotch, often with snaps or hooks. * It is distinct from a leotard, which does not have the fastening feature and is primarily a dance garment.
- The gymnast wore a black bodysuit under her competition leotard for modesty and comfort.
- For her ballet class, she prefers a simple sleeveless bodysuit as it moves seamlessly with her body.
- The costume designer created a sequined bodysuit for the lead performer in the acrobatic show.
- Fashion Context: In everyday fashion, a "bodysuit" is a similar garment, often made of various fabrics like cotton or lace, worn as a top that tucks into bottoms like skirts or pants to create a smooth silhouette. It is fastened at the crotch to keep it in place.
- She paired her high-waisted trousers with a silk bodysuit for a sleek, professional look.
- Historical/Vintage Context: The term can refer to classic one-piece undergarments.
- Leotard (n): A similar, close-fitting one-piece garment covering the torso, but typically worn alone (not as an underlayer) in dance and gymnastics, and it does not have a crotch fastening.
- Unitard (n): A one-piece, skin-tight garment that covers the body from the neck to the wrists and ankles.
- Catsuit (n): A close-fitting one-piece garment with long legs and sleeves, often made of leather, latex, or spandex.
- One-piece
- Leotard (in specific performance contexts, though technically distinct)
The provided reference definition uses the spelling "body suit" (two words). The more common modern spelling, especially for the fashion garment, is the single word "bodysuit". Both forms refer to the same core item.
- a tight-fitting garment of stretchy material that covers the body from the shoulders to the thighs (and may have long sleeves or legs reaching down to the ankles); worn by ballet dancers and acrobats for practice or performance