tutu
noun
a short, full skirt, usually made of several layers of tarlatan or tulle, worn by ballerinas.
tutu
1 American
[too-too, ty -ty]
/ ˈtu tu, tüˈtü /
noun
-
tutus
plural
Tutu
2
American
[too-too]
/ ˈtu tu /
noun
Tutu
1
British
/ ˈtuːtuː /
noun
tutu
2
British
/ ˈtuːtuː /
noun
tutu
3
British
/ ˈtuːtuː /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tutu
Borrowed into English from French around 1925–30
Explanation
A tutu is a short fluffy skirt that ballerinas wear, usually with tights and a leotard. Tutus are also popular with young children who wear them for fun — those tutus are often paired with superhero capes and tiaras. There are two main kinds of tutus: a classical tutu and a romantic tutu. The first has a short, stiff skirt attached to a bodice, and the second has a longer, flowing skirt. Many tutu skirts are made of tulle, a kind of netting that's stiff and lightweight, and this may be the origin of the word tutu, although neither word experts nor ballet experts are certain.
Vocabulary lists containing tutu
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.
See Examples For:
Preston: One of the best compliments that Jon Tolins, our showrunner, ever gave me was when he saw the dailies from that day of the tutu and dancing with the little 6-year-olds.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026
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 ● Feb. 12, 2026
"And then," she told The Breakfast Club, "I went to school in a tutu and I started doing music."
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2025
The tutu — it’s a tulle skirt, actually – was Field’s way of presenting an alternative to sweatpants.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2025
It has a narrow waist and a crinoline skirt that bells out like a ballerina’s tutu.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
Receiver Tutu Atwell, who was reacquired in a trade on the eve of the season, also has worked at the position.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
The TRC, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was generally praised for bringing together victims and perpetrators who were granted amnesty as long as they, among other conditions, fully disclosed what they had done.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
The Rams trading for Tutu Atwell means only one thing, Puka Nacua is about to be suspended.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026
On Thursday, the Rams traded Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, to the Miami Dolphins for receiver Tutu Atwell, who played five seasons for the Rams before signing with the Dolphins last March.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
We were able to sip some cold drinks at Dullah’s, but we had only been there a few minutes when Archbishop Tutu telephoned.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Two Arizona women dressed in red tutus and holiday leggings on Deck 15 brought a photo of Hallmark heartthrob Tyler Hynes on a stick for fellow cruisers to pose with outside their door.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
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 ● Mar. 29, 2026
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 ● Mar. 11, 2026
His charming, whimsical collection featured ruffled tutus, sculptured soft knits, peplum jackets, skirts with bustles and plenty of shearling fabric.
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026
Pixie entered the water as daintily as you might expect of someone who routinely wears tutus.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
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