pinafore

noun

pin·​a·​fore ˈpi-nə-ˌfȯr How to pronounce pinafore (audio)
: a sleeveless usually low-necked garment fastened in the back and worn as an apron or dress
pinafored adjective

Examples of pinafore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The evening truly goes on the fritz when Lilly, Torelli’s young Satanist, enters in a pinafore doing an unnervingly wonderful impersonation of an ordinary schoolgirl. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Whatever individuality the uniformed staffers transmitted emerged in small personal flourishes—a streak of pink hair, a glimpse of a leg tattoo—the way a Catholic schoolgirl might radiate cool by adding safety pins to her pinafore. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 Two other props from The Wizard of Oz — a test version of the gingham pinafore worn by Judy Garland (which sold for $125,000) and a jacket worn by an Emerald City extra (which sold for $37,500) — were also included in the auction. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 26 Dec. 2022 For example, mixing classic silhouettes—think blue blazers, turtle necks, and pinafores—with a punk/grunge influence will be a staple in the halls this school year. Hitha Herzog, Parents, 10 July 2023 Like Catherine, Princess of Wales, Ms. DeSantis is adept at color-coordinating the couple’s young children for their public appearances, the better to present a snapshot of family unity: the two little girls wearing matching dresses and pinafores, their brother echoing their father. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 24 May 2023 My journey began with a more sedate form of transport: the forest-green Yufuin No Mori, an old-school sightseeing train complete with polished wooden floorboards and staff in pinafores serving bento boxes. Danielle Demetriou, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023 In the century and a half or so that followed, what was once a bombshell has become canon, performed not just on the world's biggest stages but by uncountable high schools and community-theater troupes — essentially anywhere a box of prop macarons and a pinafore could be found. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2023 For the costume, wear a blue gingham pinafore dress, blue socks and ruby red slippers. Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 21 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pinafore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

pin entry 2 + afore

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinafore was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near pinafore

Cite this Entry

“Pinafore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinafore. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pinafore

noun
pin·​afore
ˈpin-ə-ˌfō(ə)r,
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: a low-necked sleeveless garment worn especially by children

More from Merriam-Webster on pinafore

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