English · Word Candidate

skirt

/skɜːt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: skirts · skirting · skirted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A separate article of clothing, usually worn by women and girls, that hangs from the waist and covers the lower torso and part of the legs.

Noun

Examples

"I like purple best," said Maida. "And old Schlegel has promised to make it for $8. It's going to be lovely. I'm going to have a plaited skirt and a blouse coat trimmed with a band of galloon under a white cloth collar with two rows of—"

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A similar part of a dress or robe, etc., that hangs below the waist.

Noun

Examples

The petticoats and skirts ordinarily worn are decidedly the heaviest part of the dress ; hence it is necessary that some reform should be effected in these.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To be on or form the border of.

Verb

Examples

The plain was skirted by rows of trees.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To move around or along the border of; to avoid the center of.

Verb

Examples

skirt a mountain

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “skirt” mean?

A separate article of clothing, usually worn by women and girls, that hangs from the waist and covers the lower torso and part of the legs.

Is “skirt” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.