bloomer

¹

[ bloo-mer ]

noun

1. an outfit for women, advocated about 1850 by Amelia Jenks Bloomer, consisting of a short skirt, loose trousers gathered and buttoned at the ankle, and often a coat and a wide hat.
2. bloomers, (used with a plural verb)
   1. loose trousers gathered at the knee, formerly worn by women as part of a gymnasium, riding, or other sports outfit.
   2. women's underpants of similar, but less bulky, design.
   3. the trousers of a bloomer outfit.
   4. any of various women's garments with full-cut legs gathered at the bottom edge.

adjective

1. (of a woman's garment) having full-cut legs gathered at the bottom edge:

   bloomer shorts.

bloomer

²

[ bloo-mer ]

noun

1. a plant that blooms:

   a night bloomer.

2. a person who develops skills, abilities, interests, etc., commensurate with their capacities: See late bloomer ( def ).

   She was a quiet, methodical child who became a late bloomer.

bloomer

³

[ bloo-mer ]

noun

1. a foolish mistake; blunder.

Bloomer

⁴

[ bloo-mer ]

noun

1. Amelia Jenks [jengks], 1818–94, U.S. social reformer and women's-rights leader.

bloomer

¹

/ ˈbluːmə /

noun

1. informal.
   a stupid mistake; blunder

bloomer

²

/ ˈbluːmə /

noun

1. a plant that flowers, esp in a specified way

   a night bloomer

bloomer

³

/ ˈbluːmə /

noun

1. a medium-sized loaf, baked on the sole of the oven, glazed and notched on top

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloomer¹

An Americanism dating to 1850–55; named after A.J. Bloomer

Origin of bloomer²

First recorded in 1720–30; bloom ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of bloomer³

First recorded in 1885–90; bloom(ing) (as euphemism for bloody ) + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloomer¹

C20: from blooming

Origin of bloomer²

C20: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Jeffrey Bloomer, editorial director Who you are voting for this year: Already voted for Harris Why: Uncomplicated vote for me—she is competent, experienced, and broadly supports the type of government I want to see.

From Slate

Dr Bloomer, who has been involved in academic research on foetal abnormalities, said the main stumbling block is funding earlier screening.

From BBC

Dr Fiona Bloomer from Ulster University said there is still a lot of stigma in Northern Ireland around abortion which prevents couples and families talking openly about their experience.

From BBC

The inquests of Mr Lynch, 59, his daughter Hannah, 18, as well as Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his wife, Judy, 71, opened at Suffolk Coroner's Court in Ipswich.

From BBC

Mr and Mrs Bloomer's causes of death are also under investigation.

From BBC