fleshings: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialised/Theatrical)Technical/Theatrical
Quick answer
What does “fleshings” mean?
Tight-fitting, flesh-colored garments (especially stockings or tights) worn to create the illusion of bare skin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Tight-fitting, flesh-colored garments (especially stockings or tights) worn to create the illusion of bare skin.
Historically, the fleshy parts of an animal; now almost exclusively refers to theatrical or performance hosiery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes historical or specialist contexts (e.g., Victorian theatre, ballet).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. More likely encountered in historical texts or specialised costume discussions than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “fleshings” in a Sentence
wear + fleshingsa pair of + fleshingsfleshings + made of + materialVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, found in historical studies of theatre or costume.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in costume design, theatre, and dance for specific hosiery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fleshings”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fleshings”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fleshings”
- Using 'fleshings' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a fleshing').
- Using it to refer to actual skin or muscle.
- Confusing it with the verb 'fleshing out' (developing).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term used mainly in historical or theatrical contexts.
Historically, it could refer to the fleshy parts of an animal, but this usage is obsolete. The modern meaning is almost exclusively related to clothing.
'Fleshings' specifically refers to tights or stockings that are flesh-coloured to mimic bare skin, while 'tights' is a general term for close-fitting leg coverings of any colour.
Rarely. The word is almost always used in the plural form 'fleshings', similar to 'tights' or 'trousers'.
Tight-fitting, flesh-colored garments (especially stockings or tights) worn to create the illusion of bare skin.
Fleshings is usually technical/theatrical in register.
Fleshings: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflɛʃɪŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflɛʃɪŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the fleshings (archaic: wearing flesh-coloured tights on stage)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FLESH' + 'INGS' = things that look like flesh.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS SKIN
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'fleshings' today?