striptease

American  

[strip-teez] / ˈstrɪpˌtiz /

noun

1. a burlesque act in which a dancer removes garments one at a time to the accompaniment of music.

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verb (used without object)

stripteased, stripteasing

1. to do a striptease.

striptease British  

/ ˈstrɪpˌtiːz /

noun

1. 1. a form of erotic entertainment in which a person gradually undresses to music

   2. ( as modifier )

      a striptease club

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Other Word Forms

• stripteaser noun

Etymology

Origin of striptease

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; strip ¹ + tease

Example Sentences

From documenting the lives of women performing striptease at rural American fairs to chronicling the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, her work provides an intimate portrait of resilience and humanity.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

For Leonardo, the underlying machinery of the male body is humanity’s hidden engine, here revealed in an anatomical striptease that cuts through the outer cloak of skin to reveal muscle, tendon and bone beneath.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2018

Verdon stays in this complicated character throughout her awkward-on-purpose striptease and a manic romp touched with flamenco, burlesque and quasi-Indian fillips.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2018

A kind of teasing irony is detectable on Masseduction, a musical striptease on which Annie Clark – who performs as St Vincent – exposes herself on her own terms.

From The Guardian • Dec. 5, 2017

Liz Goldwyn, left, with Dita Von Teese, the striptease performer.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2014