wardrobe malfunction
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of wardrobe malfunction
2004; coined by Justin Timberlake (born 1981), American singer and actor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He laughed, and we were off, trading theater jokes, wardrobe malfunction stories and references Thom couldn’t follow.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
This emphasis on mass appeal explains why controversies such as Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 wardrobe malfunction involving Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé’s politically charged "Formation" performance in 2016, sparked such swift backlash.
From Salon • Feb. 8, 2025
Dean and Bychkova stepped out in sparkly fringed outfits, but Bychkova suffered a wardrobe malfunction causing her to stumble slightly.
From BBC • Sep. 29, 2024
Audiences are reconsidering mid-2000s pop cultural events like the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction seen ’round the world at the Super Bowl halftime in 2004, and the media’s cruel treatment of Britney Spears, Timberlake’s ex-girlfriend.
From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2024
Robert Downey Jr won his first-ever Oscar, Emma Stone had a wardrobe malfunction and more of the best bits from the awards in 60 seconds.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
