miniskirt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “miniskirt” mean?
A very short skirt, typically ending well above the knees.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very short skirt, typically ending well above the knees.
A symbol of 1960s youth culture, fashion liberation, and changing social attitudes; can refer to any very short garment or style reminiscent of that era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling is consistent. The term originated in British English but was quickly adopted globally.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of youth, fashion, and the 1960s. It may also carry connotations of boldness or sexuality depending on context.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. Slightly more historical/cultural resonance in British English due to its origins in London fashion.
Grammar
How to Use “miniskirt” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wore + a miniskirt[Designer] + popularised + the miniskirtThe miniskirt + became + [adjective]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miniskirt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The designer sought to miniskirt the silhouette for a modern look. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use]
American English
- [No standard adverb use]
adjective
British English
- The miniskirt trend revolutionised high-street fashion.
- She had a classic miniskirt style.
American English
- The miniskirt era defined a generation.
- It was a bold miniskirt look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail, marketing, and design contexts (e.g., 'The spring collection features updated miniskirts.').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, fashion history, and sociology papers discussing 1960s trends and women's liberation.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of clothing and personal style (e.g., 'She's wearing a miniskirt and boots.').
Technical
In fashion design, refers to a specific garment with a hemline significantly above the knee.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miniskirt”
- Misspelling as 'mini-skirt' (hyphenated form is less common in modern usage).
- Using it to describe any short dress (it refers specifically to a skirt).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A miniskirt ends well above the knee, typically mid-thigh. A microskirt is even shorter, often at the upper thigh.
It rose to mainstream popularity in the mid-1960s, primarily in London, before spreading worldwide.
While traditionally associated with women's fashion, skirts of any length are not gender-specific in principle. Some fashion designers have created miniskirts for men.
In contemporary English, it is almost always written as one word ('miniskirt'). The hyphenated form 'mini-skirt' is considered dated.
A very short skirt, typically ending well above the knees.
Miniskirt is usually neutral to informal in register.
Miniskirt: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪnɪskɜːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪniskɜːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'miniskirt']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MINI' car – small and iconic of the 1960s. A MINIskirt is a small, iconic skirt from the 1960s.
Conceptual Metaphor
FREEDOM IS SHORTENING CLOTHING (The miniskirt metaphorically represented the shortening of social restrictions).
Practice
Quiz
Which designer is most famously associated with popularising the miniskirt?