petticoat

American  

[pet-ee-koht] / ˈpɛt iˌkoʊt /

noun

petticoats plural

1. Also called pettiskirt.  an underskirt, especially one that is full and often trimmed and ruffled and of a decorative fabric.

2. any skirtlike part or covering.

3. a flounce or valance fitting around the sides of a bed, couch, or chair, as to conceal the legs.

4. Informal: Sometimes Offensive. a woman or girl (usually used facetiously).

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adjective

1. Informal: Sometimes Offensive. of, relating to, or controlled by women; female; feminine.

   petticoat government.

petticoat British  

/ ˈpɛtɪˌkəʊt /

noun

1. a woman's light undergarment in the form of an underskirt or including a bodice supported by shoulder straps

2. informal

   1. a humorous or mildly disparaging name for a woman

   2. ( as modifier )

      petticoat politics

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Sensitive Note

In reference to a female, this term is usually used for humorous effect, but is sometimes perceived as insulting or demeaning to women.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• underpetticoat
  noun
• petticoatless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• petticoats
  plural

Etymology

Origin of petticoat

First recorded in 1375–1425, petticoat is from the late Middle English word petycote. See petty, coat

Explanation

A petticoat is an old-fashioned piece of clothing that was commonly worn underneath a skirt at various periods in history. The last time petticoats were popular was in the 1950s and 60s. Petticoat has had a variety of meanings over the years. In North America, it's an undergarment worn at the waist beneath a long skirt, but in other countries it's also been used to mean any skirt or a visible layer over an existing skirt. During the mid-19th century, petticoats were used to give a huge amount of bulk and shape to the skirt. As the word implies, the original petticoats were actual coats worn under a knight's armor.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petticoat petticoats

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

Ms. Tolokonnikova wore a corset top from Adidas, a skirt from Depop with a petticoat over it, a faux leather jacket and velvet, high-platform Doc Martens.

From New York Times ● Jan. 17, 2024

Approaching the stage with a glittering entourage, Queen Elvis wears a billowing pink skirt fitted tight over a white petticoat, a sequined wrap, and a cabbage-sized blue bow slung from her waist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2024

She has the hair of Aurora or Belle with the eye makeup of a Bratz and the bowed petticoat frock of a lost American Girl Doll.

From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2023

She took good long whiffs of the wonderful essence of detergent and clean dacron-cotton which floated down with the petticoat.

From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

French designer Paul Poiret looked to this history in the early 20th century when he began designing chic, architecturally inspired gowns that required no corsets or petticoats.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

A sleepover includes a fashion show where the “overburdened pre-teens wear four layers of petticoats and pantaloons.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2023

Nova Twins, up for best group, wore stunning dresses framed by hoop petticoats and adorned with safety pins and tartan, adding a splash of colour to the red carpet.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2023

Back then, visitors — some in long skirts and petticoats — liked to scramble around on the island’s nubbly boulders, Bench told me.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 9, 2021

The women received jackets, skirts, and petticoats, the men wool trousers and wool jackets and caps and shoes.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson