A-line

American  

[ey-lahyn] / ˈeɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. (especially in women's clothing) a cut of garment consisting basically of two A -shaped panels for the front and back, designed to give increasing fullness toward the hemline.

2. a garment having such a cut.

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adjective

1. being of such design or cut.

   an A-line coat; an A-line dress.

A-line British  

adjective

1. (of a garment, esp a skirt or dress) flaring slightly from the waist or shoulders

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Etymology

Origin of A-line

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

When Nicole Hamilton found the A-line gown she plans to wear to her wedding reception, she requested a waist roughly 3 inches smaller than her frame.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

That could mean a classic A-line or ballgown for the ceremony with a shift to mermaid cut, column or mini dress for later events, she said.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

Then the trench coat is three-quarter length, and it creates a nice A-line shape, so it’s its own architectural moment as well.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Knee-length, in blue floral jacquard with a slightly A-line skirt and fluted sleeves, the cut vaguely resembles a sort of 1950s hostess style; it looks conservative but not too conservative.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

It's sort of fitted, with a sweetheart neckline, and I guess the skirt is really an A-line, but there’s a layer of white tulle underneath.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli