leotard

American  

[lee-uh-tahrd] / ˈli əˌtɑrd /

noun

1. a skintight, one-piece garment for the torso, having a high or low neck, long or short sleeves, and a lower portion resembling either briefs or tights, worn by acrobats, dancers, etc.

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leotard British  

/ ˈlɪəˌtɑːd /

noun

1. a tight-fitting garment covering the body from the shoulders down to the thighs and worn by acrobats, ballet dancers, etc

2. (plural) another name for tights

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Etymology

Origin of leotard

1915–20; named after Jules Léotard, 19th-century French aerialist

Compare meaning

How does leotard compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• unitard vs. leotard

Example Sentences

“In six years of showgirling, this has been my worst summer,” said a different young woman, this one dressed in a purple leotard.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

Most notably, she performed Ailey’s 1971 solo “Cry,” where she famously folded, extended and suspended herself in a white long-sleeved leotard and a matching long ruffled skirt.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2024

While the Nike leotard is egregiously sparse, it’s important to note that there are more than 25 style combinations for female athletes, a fact that many people outside the running community are not aware of.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2024

She began her post by saying the leotard shown on the mannequin “was concerning, and warranted the response it received.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2024

I ring the doorbell, and I think it's going to be Alicia, and it's this lady in an exercise leotard with her hair up in a headband.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• hosiery
• pantyhose