Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

¹skirt

noun \ˈskərt\

: a piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist down

: the part of a dress, coat, etc., that hangs from the waist down

: an outer covering that hangs down to protect something

Full Definition of SKIRT

a (1) : a free-hanging part of an outer garment or undergarment extending from the waist down (2) : a separate free-hanging outer garment or undergarment usually worn by women and girls covering some or all of the body from the waist down

b : either of two usually leather flaps on a saddle covering the bars on which the stirrups are hung

c : a cloth facing that hangs from the bottom edge or across the front of a piece of furniture

d : the lower branches of a tree when near the ground

a : the rim, periphery, or environs of an area

b plural : outlying parts (as of a town or city)

: a part or attachment serving as a rim, border, or edging

slang : a girl or woman

— skirt·ed adjective

See skirt defined for English-language learners

See skirt defined for kids

Origin of SKIRT

Middle English, from Old Norse skyrta shirt, kirtle — more at shirt

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SKIRT

Synonyms: borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, border, skirting, verge

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, tack

Rhymes with SKIRT

blurt, chert, curt, dirt, flirt, girt, hurt, pert, quirt, shirt, spurt, squirt, sturt, vert, wort

²skirt

verb

: to avoid (something) especially because it is difficult or will cause problems

: to lie or go along the edge of (something)

Full Definition of SKIRT

transitive verb

: to form or run along the border or edge of : border

a : to provide a skirt for

b : to furnish a border or shield for

a : to go or pass around or about; specifically : to go around or keep away from in order to avoid danger or discovery

b : to avoid especially because of difficulty or fear of controversy <skirted the issue>

c : to evade or miss by a narrow margin <having skirted disaster — Edith Wharton>

intransitive verb

: to be, lie, or move along an edge or border

— skirt·er noun

See skirt defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SKIRT

1602

Related to SKIRT

Synonyms: bypass, circumnavigate, circumvent, detour

Antonyms: comply (with), follow, keep, obey, observe

SKIRT[1] Defined for Kids

¹skirt

noun \ˈskərt\

Definition of SKIRT for Kids

: a piece of clothing or part of a piece of clothing worn by women or girls that hangs from the waist down

: a part or attachment serving as a rim, border, or edging

²skirt

verb

skirt·edskirt·ing

Definition of SKIRT for Kids

: ²border 2

: to go or pass around or about the outer edge of <Using the two-bladed paddle I quickly skirted the south part of the island. — Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins>

: to avoid for fear of difficulty <She skirted the issue.>