grecian bend: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / Archaic / HistoricalHistorical / Literary / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “grecian bend” mean?
A fashionable, exaggerated posture in 19th-century women's dress, involving a forward stoop at the hips.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fashionable, exaggerated posture in 19th-century women's dress, involving a forward stoop at the hips.
Historically, a specific, artificial posture considered fashionable among women in the mid-to-late 1800s, resembling the poses found in classical Greek sculpture. The term is now entirely historical and refers to the style itself, the dresses designed to create it, or a person adopting the posture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage, as the term is historical and the fashion trend was present in both cultures. It might appear more frequently in British sources discussing Victorian history.
Connotations
Historical, quaint, possibly absurd or restrictive from a modern perspective. Connotes high fashion of a specific era.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, found almost exclusively in historical texts, fashion history, or satirical commentary on Victorian manners.
Grammar
How to Use “grecian bend” in a Sentence
[Subject] + adopted/wore/had + the Grecian bend.The Grecian bend + was + [adjective] (e.g., fashionable, exaggerated).Caricatures + depicted + [object] + with the Grecian bend.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grecian bend” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Grecian-bend silhouette was quickly satirised in Punch magazine.
American English
- Grecian-bend fashion plates show the distinctive forward lean.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, cultural, or fashion studies papers discussing 19th-century dress and bodily aesthetics.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary conversation.
Technical
Used as a precise term in the technical vocabulary of fashion history and costume design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grecian bend”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grecian bend”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grecian bend”
- Using it to describe any slouch or bend (e.g., 'He has a Grecian bend from working at a desk' - incorrect).
- Treating it as an adjective (e.g., 'a Grecian bend posture' is acceptable, but 'She looked very Grecian bend' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a purely historical term. You will only encounter it in texts about 19th-century fashion or culture.
It was named for its supposed resemblance to the poses of figures in ancient Greek sculpture, which were highly admired in the 19th century.
Almost certainly not. It was an artificial posture that required tight corseting and specific dress construction, likely causing physical discomfort.
No. It is not a synonym for poor posture. Using it in a modern context would be incorrect and confusing, as it refers to a specific, intentional historical style.
A fashionable, exaggerated posture in 19th-century women's dress, involving a forward stoop at the hips.
Grecian bend is usually historical / literary / archaic in register.
Grecian bend: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːʃ(ə)n ˈbɛnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːʃən ˈbɛnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GREek statue taking a BEND forward at the waist; this was the fashionable Victorian 'Grecian Bend'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION IS A PHYSICAL DISTORTION (of the natural body).
Practice
Quiz
The term 'Grecian bend' is primarily relevant to which field?