bell-bottoms: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Fashion/Historical
Quick answer
What does “bell-bottoms” mean?
A style of trousers that are fitted at the waist and thighs but flare out significantly from the knee downward, resembling the shape of a bell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of trousers that are fitted at the waist and thighs but flare out significantly from the knee downward, resembling the shape of a bell.
A fashion item strongly associated with the 1960s and 1970s counterculture, naval uniforms, and specific dance styles. Can also refer to a broader aesthetic or era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both varieties. 'Flared trousers' or 'flares' are more common synonyms in UK English, while 'bell-bottoms' is slightly more dominant in US English.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly connotes the 1970s, disco, hippie culture, and retro fashion. In naval contexts, it refers to a part of traditional uniform.
Frequency
More frequent in historical or fashion discourse than in everyday conversation. 'Flares' is the more common casual term in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “bell-bottoms” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wore + bell-bottoms[Subject] + are + dressed in + bell-bottomsThe + bell-bottoms + flare + [Adverbial]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bell-bottoms” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Bell-bottoms are not commonly verbed.
American English
- Bell-bottoms are not commonly verbed.
adverb
British English
- Bell-bottoms are not used as an adverb.
American English
- Bell-bottoms are not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She prefers a bell-bottom silhouette.
- The bell-bottom trend is cyclical.
American English
- He wore bell-bottom jeans to the concert.
- That's a very bell-bottom look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in fashion retail/design: 'The spring collection features a revival of bell-bottoms.'
Academic
Used in cultural studies, fashion history, or sociology papers discussing 20th-century trends.
Everyday
Used when discussing fashion, personal style, or reminiscing about past decades. 'My mum still has her old bell-bottoms.'
Technical
In naval contexts, refers to a specific uniform item designed for easy removal if a sailor falls overboard.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bell-bottoms”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bell-bottoms”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bell-bottoms”
- Using singular 'bell-bottom' as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have a bell-bottom').
- Misspelling as 'bellbottoms' (hyphenated or two words is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Flares' is a more general term, while 'bell-bottoms' often specifies the more exaggerated, classic 1970s style. 'Bootcut' is a milder version.
Their popularity stemmed from both fashion (as a rejection of earlier slim styles) and function (ease of movement for dancing, and their practical use in naval history).
Almost never. The term is almost exclusively used in the plural ('bell-bottoms') because it refers to a pair of trousers. You might see 'bell-bottom' only as an adjective (e.g., bell-bottom jeans).
While iconic in the 1960s/70s, the style has much earlier origins in 19th-century naval uniforms, designed so sailors could roll them up easily for deck scrubbing or remove them quickly in the water.
A style of trousers that are fitted at the waist and thighs but flare out significantly from the knee downward, resembling the shape of a bell.
Bell-bottoms is usually informal, fashion/historical in register.
Bell-bottoms: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbel ˌbɒt.əmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbel ˌbɑː.t̬əmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'bell-bottoms']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the bottom of a trouser leg opening wide like the **bell** of a trumpet, right from the **bottom** of the knee.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION IS A CYCLICAL JOURNEY (bell-bottoms 'come back' or 'return'). SHAPE IS FUNCTION (the flare allows for movement/utility).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key functional reason for bell-bottoms in a naval uniform?