tutu

¹ American  

[too-too, ty-ty] / ˈtu tu, tüˈtü /

noun

plural

tutus

1. a short, full skirt, usually made of several layers of tarlatan or tulle, worn by ballerinas.

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Tutu ² American  

[too-too] / ˈtu tu /

noun

1. Desmond (Mpilo) 1931–2021, South African Anglican clergyman and civil rights activist: Nobel Peace Prize 1984; archbishop of Cape Town 1986–96.

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Tutu ¹ British  

/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

1. Desmond . born 1931, South African clergyman, noted for his opposition to apartheid: Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg (1984–86) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986–96); in 1995 he became leader of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established to investigate human rights violations during the apartheid era. Nobel peace prize 1984

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tutu ² British  

/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

1. a very short skirt worn by ballerinas, made of projecting layers of stiffened sheer material

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tutu ³ British  

/ ˈtuːtuː /

noun

1. a shrub, Coriaria arborea , of New Zealand, having seeds that are poisonous to farm animals

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Etymology

Origin of tutu

Borrowed into English from French around 1925–30

Explanation

A tutu is a short fluffy skirt that ballerinas wear, usually with tights and a leotard. Tutus are also popular with young children who wear them for fun — those tutus are often paired with superhero capes and tiaras. There are two main kinds of tutus: a classical tutu and a romantic tutu. The first has a short, stiff skirt attached to a bodice, and the second has a longer, flowing skirt. Many tutu skirts are made of tulle, a kind of netting that's stiff and lightweight, and this may be the origin of the word tutu, although neither word experts nor ballet experts are certain.

Example Sentences

There is also a costume inspired by crinoline, the stiff or structured petticoat designed to hold out a skirt or tutu, but whimsically reimagined using neoprene.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

The hat might have offended some, but otherwise, it’s a silly delight on par with the second season’s pigeon purse and that impractical tutu that defines “Sex and the City.”

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

She was in the John Lewis store in Brent Cross, west London with her children to find a leotard, tutu and tights for her three-year-old daughter Emily, who was about to start ballet lessons.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2025

While she was recovering from treatment, Ruble made her a tutu with miniature get-well notes attached to it.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2024

The crowd was blurry and colorful around her—someone’s tutu and butterfly wings, a person with a unicorn head, Benjamin Franklin, and a group of people with neon-colored wigs.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Related Words

• dress
• kilt
• petticoat
• sarong