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Synonyms

tutu

1 American  
[too-too, ty-ty] / ˈtu tu, tüˈtü /

noun

plural

tutus

  1. a short, full skirt, usually made of several layers of tarlatan or tulle, worn by ballerinas.

Tutu 2 American  
[too-too] / ˈtu tu /

noun

  1. Desmond (Mpilo) 1931–2021, South African Anglican clergyman and civil rights activist: Nobel Peace Prize 1984; archbishop of Cape Town 1986–96.

Tutu 1 British  
/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

  1. Desmond . born 1931, South African clergyman, noted for his opposition to apartheid: Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg (1984–86) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986–96); in 1995 he became leader of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established to investigate human rights violations during the apartheid era. Nobel peace prize 1984

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
tutu 2 British  
/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

  1. a very short skirt worn by ballerinas, made of projecting layers of stiffened sheer material

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
tutu 3 British  
/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

  1. a shrub, Coriaria arborea , of New Zealand, having seeds that are poisonous to farm animals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tutu

Borrowed into English from French around 1925–30

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.

Blessedly, these ballerinas didn’t learn their skills in prison or the foster system, and their tutus are not fodder for a satanic pyre.

From Salon

Though Chalamet’s comments had ballet dancers’ tutus in a twist, numerous dance companies and opera houses saw the scandal as an opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times

His charming, whimsical collection featured ruffled tutus, sculptured soft knits, peplum jackets, skirts with bustles and plenty of shearling fabric.

From BBC

There is also a costume inspired by crinoline, the stiff or structured petticoat designed to hold out a skirt or tutu, but whimsically reimagined using neoprene.

From Barron's

The one truth about managing Celtic, or any other team with high demands, is that, if you are a winning manager, you can turn up in a tutu.

From BBC

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.