WordGarden.iowaist
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈeɪst/
US
- /ˈweɪst/
Meanings
Noun
the part of the body between the ribs and the hips
the part of a garment, or the measurement there, around the middle of the body
a narrow middle part of something such as a guitar, bottle, or hourglass
Beyond the definition
The waist is the naturally narrower part of the body between the ribs and the hips. It is the place where pants, skirts, or belts often sit, so people often talk about it when describing clothes or body shape. The word can also mean the measurement around this part of the body, such as when a tailor asks for your waist size. You might say someone has a "small waist," meaning they are slim in that area. In phrases like "waist-deep," it means something reaches up to the middle of the body, like water in a river.
The word "waist" primarily refers to the part of the human body between the ribs and the hips, usually the narrowest part of the torso. It is an important point for describing body shape and for measuring clothing sizes. For example, if someone says "her dress cinched tightly at the waist," they mean the dress was fitted closely around that part of her body.
The word can also mean the measurement around this area. When people talk about a 30-inch waist, for instance, they mean the distance around the middle of the body. This use is common in clothing, tailoring, and everyday talk about fit. The word also appears in phrases like "waist-deep," which means something comes up to this level on the body, such as standing waist-deep in water.
Less commonly, "waist" can also describe a narrow middle part of an object, such as the center of some musical instruments. Still, in most everyday situations, the word refers to the body's middle area or the measurement around it. It is a simple word, but it shows up often in clothing, health, and physical description.
Examples
- 1
Clothing fit
These trousers are too loose at the waist.
- 2
Running
She tied her jacket around her waist before she started running.
- 3
Dress shape
The dress is fitted at the waist and looser below.
- 4
Height
The grass was waist-high after weeks of rain.
- Phrasewaist-high
as high as your waist
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Water depth
We had to walk through waist-deep water to reach the boat.
- Phrasewaist-deep
deep enough to reach your waist
- 6
Photography
The photographer asked us to stand closer for a picture from the waist up.
- Phrasefrom the waist up
showing only the upper part of the body
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- waistnoun
Forms
- waistspluralnoun