A-line

American  

[ey-lahyn] / ˈeɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. (especially in women's clothing) a cut of garment consisting basically of two A -shaped panels for the front and back, designed to give increasing fullness toward the hemline.

2. a garment having such a cut.

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adjective

1. being of such design or cut.

   an A-line coat; an A-line dress.

A-line British  

adjective

1. (of a garment, esp a skirt or dress) flaring slightly from the waist or shoulders

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Etymology

Origin of A-line

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

A line in the grass showed where more of the yard is sinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The Southeast Gateway Line, a new 14.5-mile light rail line connecting the A line to Artesia that will serve largely working-class Latino communities across southeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

A line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see along the country's southern coast as residents of affected areas fled to the ancient city of Sidon in search of safety.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

A line has been crossed, I’m sorry to say, and it’s not your son who has crossed it.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

A line of clothes flapped in the wind—white sheets, Ralph’s blue dress, a red blouse and nightgowns—wet and fresh and blowing out in different shapes.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers