bell-bottom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, historical/fashion context
Quick answer
What does “bell-bottom” mean?
A style of trousers (pants) that become wider from the knee downward, creating a shape similar to a bell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of trousers (pants) that become wider from the knee downward, creating a shape similar to a bell.
Also refers to the fashion style or era (the late 1960s to late 1970s) with which these trousers are strongly associated. Can be used attributively to describe things that flare out.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. British English might more commonly use the plural form 'bell-bottoms' to refer to the garment, while American English also uses the singular 'bell-bottom' as an adjective. The British term 'flares' is a common synonym.
Connotations
Same connotations of 1960s/70s fashion in both varieties.
Frequency
The term 'flares' is more frequent in contemporary British English for the clothing item. 'Bell-bottom' remains standard in both varieties for historical/fashion descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “bell-bottom” in a Sentence
She wore [bell-bottoms].He had on a pair of [bell-bottom trousers].The [bell-bottoms] flared out from the knee.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bell-bottom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A as a standard verb. 'She flared her jeans' would be used.
American English
- N/A as a standard verb. 'She had her jeans bell-bottomed' is non-standard tailoring jargon.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He found an old pair of bell-bottom trousers in the attic.
- The bell-bottom look is making a cautious comeback.
American English
- She wore a fantastic bell-bottom jumpsuit to the disco party.
- The store sells vintage bell-bottom jeans.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Only in fashion retail or marketing contexts (e.g., 'The new line features a retro bell-bottom silhouette.').
Academic
Rare. Possibly in cultural studies, fashion history, or sociology papers discussing 20th-century trends.
Everyday
Common when discussing vintage clothing, personal style, or historical periods. 'My dad wore bell-bottoms in the 70s.'
Technical
Used in fashion design and pattern-making to describe a specific cut of a garment leg.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bell-bottom”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bell-bottom”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bell-bottom”
- Using 'bell-bottom' as a verb (e.g., 'She bell-bottomed her jeans'). Incorrect.
- Misspelling as 'bellbotom' or 'bell bottom' (without hyphen is often accepted, but hyphenated is standard for the adjective).
- Confusing with 'bootcut' trousers, which have a much subtler flare.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Flares' is a more general term that can describe the degree of flare, while 'bell-bottoms' specifically refers to the iconic, dramatic flare of the 1960s/70s. In modern usage, they are often used interchangeably.
No, it is not a standard verb. You would say 'to flare trousers' or 'to make trousers bell-bottomed' (less common).
Trousers with a narrow leg, such as skinny jeans, straight-leg trousers, or tapered trousers.
Yes, but often interchangeably with 'flare' or 'flared'. When describing contemporary styles, 'flared' is more common. 'Bell-bottom' is used to evoke a specific retro or vintage aesthetic.
A style of trousers (pants) that become wider from the knee downward, creating a shape similar to a bell.
Bell-bottom is usually informal, historical/fashion context in register.
Bell-bottom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbel bɒtəmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛl ˌbɑːtəmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms. The term itself is a compound noun describing a specific object.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the bottom of a church BELL — wide and flaring out. Now imagine that shape from your knee down to your ankle.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAPE FOR STYLE (The distinctive bell shape metonymically represents an entire fashion era and its associated culture).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the KEY defining feature of bell-bottoms?