crinoline: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1literary, historical, fashion
Quick answer
What does “crinoline” mean?
a stiffened or hooped petticoat worn to make a long skirt stand out, historically fashionable in the mid-19th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a stiffened or hooped petticoat worn to make a long skirt stand out, historically fashionable in the mid-19th century.
1) a stiff fabric made of horsehair and cotton or linen, originally used for stiffening garments. 2) any rigid or stiffened structure used to give shape to a garment, such as a hoop skirt framework.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Historical period piece, Victorian era, formal/restrictive women's fashion.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects; used primarily in historical or fashion-specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crinoline” in a Sentence
wore a [crinoline] under her dressthe [crinoline] was made of steel hoopsthe fashion for [crinolines]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crinoline” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- She preferred a crinoline silhouette.
- The crinoline era was brief.
American English
- The dress had a crinoline effect.
- It was a crinoline style gown.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, except in the fashion industry (historical costume reproduction).
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or fashion history texts discussing 19th-century culture.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might appear in period drama descriptions.
Technical
Used in costume design, textile history, and museum conservation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crinoline”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crinoline”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crinoline”
- Confusing it with 'crinoline' as a modern fabric type only. Misspelling as 'crinolin' or 'crineline'. Using it to refer to any full skirt.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A crinoline is a specific type of stiffened or hooped petticoat designed to hold a skirt out. All crinolines are petticoats, but not all petticoats are crinolines.
Yes, but not in everyday life. They are worn in historical reenactments, theatre, period films, and sometimes in bridal or formal haute couture fashion to create a dramatic silhouette.
Originally, crinoline was a stiff fabric made from horsehair ('crin') and cotton or linen ('lin'). This fabric was used to stiffen garments before the hooped frame became popular.
It was impractical, cumbersome, and even dangerous (it could catch fire easily). Fashion shifted towards narrower, more streamlined silhouettes in the late 19th century.
a stiffened or hooped petticoat worn to make a long skirt stand out, historically fashionable in the mid-19th century.
Crinoline is usually literary, historical, fashion in register.
Crinoline: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪnəlɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪnəlɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CRINoline: Think of a CRINge-worthy, huge, RIGID skirt LINE from history.
Conceptual Metaphor
A cage of fashion (suggesting both structure and confinement).
Practice
Quiz
In which century was the crinoline most popular as a fashion item?