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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of A-line

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

A-line

"Her dress will likely be a classic corset dress with an A-line skirt."

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

The final collection for Wilson is pleated, fluffy, lacy and — with its neat A-line cuts and sophisticated collars — unmistakably tennis.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

When Nicole Hamilton found the A-line gown she plans to wear to her wedding reception, she requested a waist roughly 3 inches smaller than her frame.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026

Knee-length, in blue floral jacquard with a slightly A-line skirt and fluted sleeves, the cut vaguely resembles a sort of 1950s hostess style; it looks conservative but not too conservative.

From New York Times ● Jan. 24, 2024

“All righty,” Barb says when they get all my vitals and finish oohing and aahing over my sparkly, silver A-line gown and my white rose corsage.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott