bathing costume: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Historical
Quick answer
What does “bathing costume” mean?
A garment worn for swimming, typically a one-piece suit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A garment worn for swimming, typically a one-piece suit.
Any attire specifically designed for water-based recreation, historically referring to the full-body or modest swimwear of the early-to-mid 20th century. Can also refer to modern swimwear, particularly in nostalgic or formal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'bathing costume' is a standard, though somewhat dated, term. In American English, 'bathing suit' or 'swimsuit' is dominant; 'bathing costume' sounds archaic and is rarely used in everyday speech.
Connotations
UK: Slightly old-fashioned but still intelligible and used, particularly by older generations or in historical contexts. US: Strongly archaic, evokes images of early 20th-century beach attire. It can sound quaint or intentionally vintage.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English than in US English. In the US, it is mostly found in historical novels, period dramas, or costume descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “bathing costume” in a Sentence
[Subject] packed/wore/forgot [Possessive] bathing costume.She was dressed in a [Adjective] bathing costume.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bathing costume” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was bathing-costumed and ready for the sea.
American English
- This usage is virtually non-existent in American English.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She bought a bathing-costume bag.
American English
- This formation is extremely rare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in historical costuming, vintage fashion retail, or museum descriptions.
Academic
Used in historical, fashion, or cultural studies discussing leisure and attire in the 20th century.
Everyday
Used mainly by older UK speakers; younger speakers might use it humorously or for a specific vintage aesthetic.
Technical
Used in historical textile or costume design contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bathing costume”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bathing costume”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bathing costume”
- Confusing 'bathing costume' with 'bathrobe' (which is for after bathing). Using it to refer to any modern, revealing swimwear (a conceptual mismatch).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While a bikini is a type of swimsuit, 'bathing costume' strongly connotes a one-piece, more modest, and often vintage style. It is the overarching, formal/historical term.
Yes, they will understand it, but they will perceive it as very old-fashioned or British. An American would almost always say 'bathing suit' or 'swimsuit'.
'Swimwear' is a broad, modern category term that includes bikinis, trunks, one-pieces, etc. 'Bathing costume' is a specific term for a swimsuit, often with historical or formal connotations.
Historically, yes. Men's full-body knitted swimsuits were called bathing costumes. Today, it would sound very unusual for modern men's swim trunks or briefs. The term is now heavily gendered towards women's one-piece swimsuits in common understanding.
A garment worn for swimming, typically a one-piece suit.
Bathing costume is usually formal, historical in register.
Bathing costume: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ ˌkɒs.tjuːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbeɪ.ðɪŋ ˌkɑː.stuːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not a specific idiom, but part of phrases like 'a proper bathing costume' (implying modest, old-style swimwear).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'costume' as a special outfit for a specific activity (like a Halloween costume). A 'bathing costume' is the special outfit you wear for the activity of bathing/swimming.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWIMMING IS A PERFORMANCE/A ROLE-PLAYING ACTIVITY (hence the 'costume' one wears for it).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bathing costume' LEAST likely to be used in modern American English?