romper

American  

[rom-per] / ˈrɒm pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that romps.

2. (used with a plural verb) Usually rompers.

   1. a loose, one-piece garment combining a shirt or blouse and short, bloomerlike pants, worn by young children.

   2. a similar garment worn by women and girls for sports, leisure activity, etc.

---

Etymology

Origin of romper

First recorded in 1835–40; romp + -er ¹

Explanation

A romper is a piece of clothing consisting of a shirt with attached shorts. Very small children often wear rompers, but sometimes trendy women wear rompers too. There are adult-sized rompers, most of which are sold as women's clothing, but it's more likely you'll see toddlers wearing rompers. The earliest rompers were worn by children for playing in the early 20th century. They marked a change from the Victorian era, in which kids mainly wore restrictive clothing. In early 1900s France, rompers were considered boys' clothing. Romper comes from romp, "play or frolic."

Example Sentences

Cean’s compression romper takes athletic wear to the next level and will be on the wishlist of any wellness obsessive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Among the pieces that she had teased on social media were a sewing machine, a steamer, lamps, a “tiny side table,” a sequin romper, and a Bergdorf Goodman jacket.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 13, 2025

And when we do ask policy questions about the economy or international events, with the exception of a few solid professionals in the room, we sound like romper room kids soiling our shorts.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2024

No reviso la aplicación a menudo, así que espero olvidarme de ella hasta que un derroche en cosméticos de Glossier posterior al final de una relación me recuerde que hay una alcancía que romper.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2023

She wore her gym suit baggy, like a romper.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell