monokini: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Fashion, Travel, Lifestyle
Quick answer
What does “monokini” mean?
A women's one-piece swimsuit that is typically cut high on the legs and low on the chest, leaving the breasts exposed, resembling a bikini bottom without a top.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A women's one-piece swimsuit that is typically cut high on the legs and low on the chest, leaving the breasts exposed, resembling a bikini bottom without a top.
By extension, any swimsuit or lingerie garment that is a single piece but designed to give the impression of being two separate pieces (e.g., with cut-outs or strategic fabric placement), or any topless swimwear for women.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in definition. Both use it primarily for the topless swimsuit. The word is equally understood in fashion contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Strongly associated with European beach culture (e.g., French Riviera, Mediterranean), liberal attitudes towards nudity, and high-fashion or risqué swimwear.
Frequency
Low frequency in general conversation, but recognisable. More likely encountered in travel writing, fashion magazines, or discussions about beach etiquette than in daily talk.
Grammar
How to Use “monokini” in a Sentence
[Subject] wore a monokini.The [location] allows monokinis.She bought a [adjective] monokini.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail/fashion industry reports: 'The brand's monokini line boosted summer sales.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly in cultural studies on fashion, body politics, or nudity norms.
Everyday
Discussions about beach holidays, swimwear shopping, or fashion trends: 'Are monokinis allowed at that resort?'
Technical
Used in fashion design and garment pattern-making terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monokini”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monokini”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monokini”
- Using 'monokini' to mean any one-piece swimsuit (this is incorrect; standard one-piece is just a 'swimsuit' or 'one-piece').
- Spelling it as 'monokiny' or 'monokinis' (plural is 'monokinis').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it is one piece of fabric, the term specifically refers to a topless style, essentially a bikini bottom. A standard one-piece swimsuit covers the torso.
Primarily on designated topless or nudist beaches, certain private pools/resorts, or in specific fashion/photo-shoot contexts. It is not the norm on most public or family beaches.
They are essentially synonymous. 'Monokini' is the specific lexical term for that garment.
In modern, extended fashion usage, sometimes yes. You might see 'cut-out monokini' describing a one-piece with large strategic openings. However, the classic definition remains topless.
A women's one-piece swimsuit that is typically cut high on the legs and low on the chest, leaving the breasts exposed, resembling a bikini bottom without a top.
Monokini is usually informal, fashion, travel, lifestyle in register.
Monokini: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒnə(ʊ)ˈkiːni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːnoʊˈkiːni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONO (one piece) + KINI (from biKINI). But remember, it's a 'one-piece' that's actually *less* than a bikini—it's missing the top.
Conceptual Metaphor
FREEDOM/NATURALNESS IS EXPOSURE. The garment metaphorically represents liberation from conventional covering, aligning nudity with a natural state.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'monokini' primarily?