pinafore

[ pin-uh-fawr, -fohr ]

noun

1. a child's apron, usually large enough to cover the dress and sometimes trimmed with flounces.
2. a woman's sleeveless garment derived from it, low-necked, tying or buttoning in the back, and worn as an apron or as a dress, usually over a blouse, a sweater, or another dress.
3. Chiefly British.
   1. a large apron worn by adults.
   2. a sleeveless smock.

pinafore

/ ˈpɪnəˌfɔː /

noun

1. an apron, esp one with a bib
2. short for pinafore dress
3. an overdress buttoning at the back

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinafore¹

First recorded in 1775–85; pin + afore

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinafore¹

C18: from pin + afore

Example Sentences

From soap to opera, Dennis appeared in the English National Opera's production of HMS Pinafore in 2021.

From BBC

The evening truly goes on the fritz when Lilly, Torelli’s young Satanist, enters in a pinafore doing an unnervingly wonderful impersonation of an ordinary schoolgirl.

From Los Angeles Times

Ella noticed how Auriga kept smoothing her small pinafore and Aries kept stealing glances at Brigit.

From Literature

In 2015, they sued Richard Nagy, a London-based art dealer, and some years later won back Woman in a Black Pinafore and Woman Hiding Her Face.

From BBC

Describing her work on a vinyl pinafore dress worn by Lizzo, Becky said: "It took me about two hours to steam all of the layers and Lizzo had it it on for probably less than five minutes."

From BBC

Related Words

• apparel
• attire
• costume
• ensemble
• frock
• garb
• gown
• robe
• skirt
• smock
• suit
• uniform
• wardrobe