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bell-bottom

American

[bel-bot-uhm] / ˈbɛlˌbɒt əm /

adjective

Also bell-bottomed. (of trousers) wide and flaring at the bottoms of the legs.

noun

(used with a plural verb) bell-bottoms, bell-bottom trousers.

Etymology

Origin of bell-bottom

First recorded in 1885–90

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.

Musicians illuminated stages with bell-bottom jeans, platform shoes and colourful headbands.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

“That was a song about fashion changes in the ’60s with bell-bottom hip-huggers and high-heeled boots and all the different styles of clothes the girls were wearing — hot pants and all that stuff.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2025

During a visit in May, the market featured dozens of vintage clothing vendors selling bell-bottom jeans, graphic tees and flowery sundresses on the main plaza.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2023

Yet Carl, from flooffy head to bell-bottom hems, is the epitome of soft power and hardened ego.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2023

His father wears a transparent white Punjabi top over bell-bottom trousers.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023