strapless

American

[strap-lis] / ˈstræp lɪs /

adjective

without a strap or straps.
designed and made without shoulder straps.

a strapless evening gown; a strapless bra.

strapless British

/ ˈstræplɪs /

adjective

(of a woman's formal dress, brassiere, etc) without straps over the shoulders

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of strapless

First recorded in 1840–50; strap + -less

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.

And singer Rose, a multiple Grammy nominee this year for "APT," her banger collab with Bruno Mars, wore a chic strapless black dress with a high slit and an outsized bird brooch at her waist.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

And a strapless gown of red polyester plush, Autumn-Winter 2014-15, winks at a world that is drowning in red carpets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Steinfeld, 28, wore a silk strapless gown paired with sheer opera gloves and a long veil attached to her top knot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

The comedian started off the night wearing a strapless metallic dress on the red carpet before switching to a halter neck silver sequined gown to kick the ceremony off.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2025

A pale pink strapless dress brushes my shoes.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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