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

And one of last year’s bloomers, named Stankosaurus Rex for its massive 8-foot height, is now fruiting, so it looks like a tall upright club covered with plump crimson orbs.

From Los Angeles Times

Now retired Morgan was a bit of a late bloomer with the most memorable spell of his career coming with Leicester City, where he won the Premier League title at the age of 32.

From BBC

He also advocates planting native milkweeds like narrow leaf and woollypod, summer bloomers that will attract lots of pollinators, especially the endangered Western monarch butterflies.

From Los Angeles Times

Crafted for comfort in L.A., bloomers are an essential wear to be your most baby girl inside and out of the house.

From Los Angeles Times

This summer, I think everyone will probably be wearing bloomers and hot shorts.

From Los Angeles Times